sports

Real Madrid: Mbappé out, Gonzalo starts vs Benfica

February 25, 2026 · El País

Real Madrid faces Benfica in the Champions League playoff return at the Bernabéu without star striker Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined by a knee injury.

The Spanish giants welcome the Portuguese side for the second leg, with Vinicius Jr. suspended following racist incidents in the first match. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has turned to academy graduate Gonzalo to replace Mbappé.

On the Benfica side, manager José Mourinho is absent after being sent off in the first leg, though his team aims to overturn the 0-1 deficit.

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