Real Madrid's Champions League Victory Overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe's Injury Scare

Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa was unable to provide a specific timeframe for star striker Kylian Mbappé's return, stating only that the French forward will remain out until his "discomfort completely subsides."

Mbappé was a surprising absentee for Los Blancos during their 2–1 triumph over Benfica in the Champions League knockout phase playoff second leg. The 27-year-old was unable to finish training on the day before the match and was ruled out of Wednesday's encounter due to persistent knee problems.

Arbeloa offered little reassurance regarding the condition of the team's top scorer following the game. "He had to exit training yesterday, and he has experienced discomfort on multiple occasions," the coach explained, referencing Mbappé's frequent visits to the medical facility over the past two months.

"Following yesterday's session, I had a conversation with him, and we discussed it with our medical staff. We determined it would be best for him to rest and achieve a complete recovery, allowing him to return at peak condition and confidence without any discomfort for upcoming challenges. He's extremely valuable, and moving forward, we'll be patient.

"We'll see if it's just a few days, and hopefully it won't be extended, but we'll allow the required time for Mbappé to restore his confidence and eliminate the discomfort completely."

Real Madrid Must Be Careful to Avoid Repeated History

Real Madrid Must Exercise Caution to Prevent Historical Repetition

Maintaining Mbappé on the sidelines for complete recovery represents a wise decision for Real Madrid, considering the crucial sequence of matches approaching, including the Champions League round of 16, where the Spanish powerhouse will meet either Manchester City or Sporting CP.

Hastily returning their most lethal scorer before full fitness could result in Los Blancos losing Mbappé for an extended period beyond just several weeks. Arbeloa emphasized once more that the club's main objective is restoring the France captain to peak condition so he can perform optimally when crucial moments arrive.

However, similar caution isn't being applied to other squad members wearing white. The Spanish manager disclosed that Federico Valverde is competing despite "discomfort," though the Uruguayan "refuses to rest."

While the midfielder may not be Mbappé, he remains an essential component of Real Madrid's starting eleven. Following a sluggish season beginning, Valverde is rediscovering his midfield excellence, recently providing assists for both Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinicius Junior's strikes against Benfica at the Bernabéu.

Losing the 27-year-old to an injury that deteriorates due to insufficient precautionary measures could prove costly for the 15-time European titleholders.

Arbeloa Reveals the Key to Succeeding Without Mbappé

Arbeloa Discloses the Formula for Thriving Without Mbappé

For the immediate future, Real Madrid must manage without Mbappé, who tops the squad with 38 goals this campaign. Previously, the team has found it challenging to perform without the French star spearheading their attack, but Vinicius Jr's resurgence provides Arbeloa's weakened offense with essential energy.

The coach highlighted how heavily the team will depend on the Brazilian during Mbappé's absence, describing the No. 7 as "increasingly crucial" now that his attacking partner remains in the treatment room.

Vinicius Jr appears fully prepared for the challenge. The winger has scored in his previous five appearances, rediscovering the finest aspects of his play since Xabi Alonso's exit. The 25-year-old has netted eight times in the past six weeks compared to the five he managed during the season's opening five months.

The responsibility will fall on Vinicius Jr to shoulder the scoring burden for his side in the upcoming weeks, even if it requires single-handedly securing victories in closely fought La Liga encounters, a specialty that Mbappé has perfected since joining the Spanish capital.