Kylian Mbappe was not impressed by Real Madrid’s capitulation in Lisbon last night
Kylian Mbappe questioned his Real Madrid team-mates’ desire after they missed out on automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 last night.
Madrid’s 4-2 defeat at Benfica means they will face a two-legged play-off against either Bodo/Glimt or last night’s opponents for the right to play either Sporting CP or Manchester City.
Mbappe scored both Madrid goals but a chaotic ending that saw the visitors have both Raul Asencio and Rodrygo sent off was compounded by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a last-gasp fourth goal that saw Jose Mourinho’s men clinch a play-off spot.
It’s not about ability – Real Madrid striker Mbappe
France captain Mbappe was unimpressed and did not hold back when asked to analyse the defeat.
He said: “This isn’t about ability and it’s not about tactics. It’s about wanting it more. You couldn’t see that we were playing for our lives out there.
“Benfica wasn’t even in great form, and they still showed that if you don’t show up with everything you need to win, they’ll run you off the field.
“Our performances aren’t consistent enough, and that has to be fixed. We can’t have one good day and one bad day, a trophy-winning team doesn’t do that.
“We deserve to be in this position [outside the top eight]. Benfica were the better team. It stings a bit to now have to deal with the play-off round. We were hoping to earn some rest.”
Trubin goal was ’embarrassing’
The performance in Lisbon was a surprise given Madrid arrived in Portugal on the back of three impressive wins, including a statement 2-0 victory at Villarreal at the weekend.
But they reverted to the side that struggled in the first half of the season under Xabi Alonso with Trubin’s header the final insult.
Mbappe added: “What we saw today is not normal. The fourth goal was embarrassing. We have to fix this, because we were coming off three games at a good level.”
The fans at the Santiago Bernabeu have been vocal in their condemnation of the Madrid players at various points this season and the atmosphere could be hostile once again on Sunday when Rayo Vallecano are the visitors.
Asked if he had a message for the fans, Mbappe said: “They should come out and support the team. We were bad today, yes, but we’re not eliminated, and in La Liga our momentum is actually good right now.”
When is the Champions League knockout phase?
- Knockout phase play-offs: February 17/18 & 24/25 2026
- Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15 2026
- Semi-finals: April 28/29 and May 5/6 2026
- Final: May 30 2026 (Budapest)
When are the Champions League draws?
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final: February 27 2026
Knockout phase play-offs: January 30 2026
