Champions League: Real Madrid suffers huge injury blow ahead of Benfica fixture

According to reports Real Madrid might be without a key player ahead of their Champions League fixture against Benfica due to injury.

Real Madrid’s Champions League ambitions have been hit by a significant late-fitness scare as a key player is expected to miss the Benfica fixture due to injury.

French superstar Kylian Mbappé is a major doubt for tomorrow’s high-stakes playoff second leg against Benfica after reportedly cutting short his training session on Tuesday.

According to a report by L'Équipe, the 27-year-old forward is suffering from persistent pain in his left knee.

The discomfort was severe enough to force the player off the pitch during the final tactical drills at Valdebebas, leaving manager Álvaro Arbeloa with a massive selection headache ahead of the decisive European tie.

Mbappé has been nursing the knee issue since early January, a problem that previously sidelined him for several weeks.

While he was rested during the weekend’s La Liga victory over Real Sociedad to ensure he would be at "100%" for the visit of José Mourinho’s side, those plans now appear in jeopardy.

"He is suffering from pain in his left knee and had to cut short today’s training session," reported L’Équipe. "Inside the club, there is a debate between the medical staff’s caution and the player’s desire to lead the line."

If Mbappé is unable to start, Arbeloa may look to young striker Gonzalo García or shift Arda Güler into a more advanced role to support Vinícius Júnior.