Kylian Mbappe is injured, and Real Madrid once again has been struck by an ongoing injury crisis. The French forward is reportedly a serious doubt for tonight's Champions League play-off second-leg against Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to L'Equipe as relayed by Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Mbappe is nursing a knee problem and felt pain during training on Tuesday. He was unable to complete the session, and a decision is set to be made today.
It sounds likely that Madrid will be without their star man for the encounter with Benfica and that's a massive blow. He has been in red-hot form this season, posting 38 goals and six assists in 33 games across competitions.
Mbappe misery
Mbappe started the year injured and missed two games before returning for the Supercopa de Espana final loss to Barcelona. He rushed back to try and play the final but was only brought on in the latter stages of that match.
The Frenchman's latest injury setback could have massive repercussions on Madrid's remainder of the season. He will undoubtedly want to be cautious ahead of the World Cup this summer.
If Los Blancos were to miss Mbappe for a significant period it could jeopardise their hopes of a successful end to the campaign. They are 1-0 up on aggregate against Benfica and will be eager to advance to the last 16 tonight.
The La Liga title race is tightly poised as Alvaro Arbeloa's men trail Barcelona by just one point with 13 games remaining. Mbappe's fitness will be a concern heading into the final stretch of the season.
This is why playing the 27-year-old in games such as against Talavera in the Copa del Rey was nonsensical. It has jeopardized the player's fitness in the long run when more important matches such as tonight's Benfica clash should have been taken into consideration.
Vinicius' moment
If Mbappe does sit out the encounter with the Portuguese side as expected then Arbeloa will likely turn to Gonzalo Garcia. The Spanish striker will probably lead the line with Vinicius Junior out on the left.
Vinicius will need to step up in Mbappe's absence, and he was the difference-maker in the first leg. He scored the winner before a racism row ensued when Gianluca Prestianni was alleged to have called him a "monkey" at the Estadio da Luz.
Prestianni won't play in tonight's game after UEFA imposed a one-match ban as part of their investigation into the incident. If Los Blancos are to beat Jose Mourinho's side they will have to do so without their French forward.