Real Madrid have been dealt a setback with Kylian Mbappe sidelined for the crucial Champions League clash against Benfica.

The French superstar, Madrid’s top scorer this season, has been playing through knee pain over the past few weeks but will not be involved at the Santiago Bernabeu according to the source, confirming a report in French newspaper L’Equipe.

Madrid hold a 1-0 lead over Benfica from the first leg in Lisbon last week, in a match which was disrupted by alleged racial abuse aimed at Los Blancos winger Vinicius Junior.

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Mbappe’s coach Alvaro Arbeloa said earlier on Tuesday that the player was “prepared to play” in the second leg and that he “valued his commitment” in playing through pain, but it was later decided that the forward would not feature against Benfica.

Mbappe leads the Champions League scoring charts with 13 goals this season, despite an issue with the ligaments on the outside of his left knee which has troubled him since before the Christmas break.

The forward did not appear to be moving as freely as usual during Real’s 2-1 defeat to Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.

– AFP

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