Kylian Mbappe has been included in Real Madrid’s lineup for their Champions League play-off first-leg clash against Benfica.
The forward did not feature in the emphatic win over Real Sociedad over the weekend, but head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe was rested as a precaution.
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"He's doing well," said the coach pre-match. "He's had some discomfort in his knee for a while now, and he puts in a lot of effort every time he plays.
"This time, we decided not to take any risks so that he'd be ready to start on Tuesday, and I can confirm that he will indeed start."
Madrid are without suspended pair Raul Asencio and Rodrygo. Asencio was booked in the first half of last month’s 4-2 defeat at Benfica, and then picked up a second yellow card second-half injury time after stopping a Benfica counterattack.
There was still time for Rodrygo to be shown two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent. Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Aurelien Tchouameni are one yellow card away from missing the second leg, but all three start here.
Jude Bellingham remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Eder Militao still working his way back from a tendon injury.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius
Subs: Lunin, Carvajal, Alaba, Gonazalo, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Mendy, Mastantuono, Cestero, Martinez. Thiago
Doubts: Mbappe
Injured: Bellingham, Militao
Suspended: Asencio, Rodrygo
Time and date: 8pm GMT today, February 17, 2026
How to watch: Amazon Prime
