Kylian Mbappé has officially been ruled out of Real Madrid's squad for their upcoming Champions League return match against Benfica due to a knee injury. The injury has been a recurring issue for him, forcing him to miss several matches earlier in the season and also causing him to sit out the recent Liga match against Real Sociedad. Despite his absence, he remains a crucial player for the team, having scored an impressive 38 goals this season, with 23 coming from Liga matches and 13 from the Champions League.

The news of Mbappé's exclusion comes as a significant blow to the Real Madrid squad, especially given his vital contributions in terms of goals and experience. The match, taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu, is critical as the team hopes to secure their position and advance further in the Champions League. In light of his injury, the club will rely on other key players such as Vinicius Jr., Gonzalo Garcia, and Brahim Diaz to step up and fill the void left by their star forward.

As Real Madrid prepares for this important encounter, the implications of Mbappé's absence could affect both their performance in the match and their prospects in the tournament. His consistent scoring ability and presence on the field provide a significant advantage, making his recovery and return to fitness a priority for the club moving forward. The team’s ability to adapt in his absence will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as they aim to maintain their competitive edge without one of their top players.