As Los Blancos prepare for the trip to Lisbon, Kylian Mbappé trains separately while Arbeloa faces a mounting injury crisis in defense.
Real Madrid kicked off their Champions League week at Valdebebas with a dark cloud hanging over the squad: the fitness of Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar was unable to complete a full session on Monday, performing only a “moderate workout” as the club’s medical staff monitors a persistent knee problem.
According to reports from the Spanish press, Mbappé’s knee is in a “delicate” state. While the club hasn’t officially ruled him out, he is currently rated as a major doubt for the crucial showdown against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.
Training Report: Separate Work for Carreras and Rüdiger
Mbappé wasn’t the only one training away from the main group:
- Álvaro Carreras: The full-back also carried out individual drills on Monday, raising further questions about Arbeloa’s defensive setup.
- Antonio Rüdiger: In a more positive development, the German powerhouse completed part of the session with the team before switching to a personalized physical plan.
- The Absentees: Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy remain sidelined, with no immediate return date in sight.
The Trip to Lisbon
The Real Madrid squad is scheduled to fly to Portugal this Tuesday (27th). In a move that keeps Benfica guessing, the final decision on Mbappé’s availability will only be made after the club’s final training session at the match venue on Tuesday afternoon.
Real Madrid is adopting a “zero-risk” policy. With a packed 2026 calendar, the coaching staff is wary of aggravating the Frenchman’s injury, even if it means playing the Champions League giants without their primary goalscoring threat.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
