Real Madrid head into tonight's game against Benfica with the likelihood of Kylian Mbappe missing the encounter at the Estadio Bernabeu. A nightmare situation has occured after the French forward felt pain in his knee during training on Tuesday.
Mbappe is reportedly a doubt to face Jose Mourinho's men in the second leg of the two sides' Champions League play-off. That will likely mean Alvaro Arbeloa turns to Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia.
Real Madrid vs Benfica: Gonzalo's test
It's been an interesting season for Garcia who caught the eye at last summer's FIFA Club World Cup. He finished as the tournament's top goalscorer with four goals in six games.
Garcia has been patient playing backup to Mbappe this season and understood this role given his French teammate's scintillating goalscoring form. But he has performed well when given an opportunity, bagging six goals in 28 games across competitions.
A night like tonight is the perfect occasion for the 21-year-old to truly put his name up in lights. While Spanish football know just how much potential he has, the rest of Europe are still to realise this.
Garcia has been handed a chance to stake a claim as Madrid's long-term number nine against a Benfica side who have defensive vulnerabilities. He could find joy up top alongside Vinicius Junior who scored the winner in the first-leg.
Throwback to Gonzalo Garcia’s hattrick vs Real Betis 🔙 pic.twitter.com/7QClyWZNY3
— َ (@Asensii20) February 24, 2026
The Spaniard has already wowed fans this season when he scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Real Betis in early January. That came in a similar situation as Mbappe started the year out injured and Xabi Alonso placed his faith in the Castilla graduate.
Proving a point
Garcia has shown incredible patience with his lack of regular game time but will surely want to make a statement at the Bernabeu tonight. While he's unlikely to play his way into a regular starting role, he can send the higher-ups a message about his future role in the team.
Endrick is set to return from his loan spell at Lyon and that adds another attacker to the list of options for whoever is in charge come next season. Nights like tonight are when Garcia must prove a point and come to the fore.
When Garcia gets his chance he often takes it and there's no better time to do so then in one of the most important matches of Madrid's season. If he does shine at the Bernabeu it will just remind Arbeloa that he doesn't need to overrely on Mbappe.