Kylian Mbappe has been included in Real Madrid’s squad 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.
"He's doing well," said the coach. "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 will definitely be 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.
Jude Bellingham remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Eder Militao still working his way back from a tendon injury.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Vinicius, Mbappe, Guler
Doubts: Mbappe
Injured: Bellingham, Militao
Suspended: Asencio, Rodrygo
Confirmed travelling squad: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Joan Martinez, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Mario Martin, Thiago Pitarch, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Franco Mastantuono
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday, February 17, 2026
How to watch: Amazon Prime
