Lineups Unveiled: Arbeloa Names Mbappé's Role as Real Madrid Face Benfica
17 February 2026
Real Madrid's starting XI for the Benfica clash
Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid's coach, has named the team for the Benfica tie at Estádio da Luz tonight, in the first leg of the Champions League knockout playoff.
Kylian Mbappé starts in the XI despite previous doubts due to injury that kept him out of the last match against Real Sociedad.
Goalkeeper: Courtois.
Defence: Arnold, Rudiger, Huesin, Carerras.
Midfield: Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Fede Valverde.
Attack: Guler, Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé.
Benfica's lineup under veteran coach Jose Mourinho
Goalkeeper: Turbin.
Defence: Deditch, Araújo, Otamendi, Dal.
Midfield: Bariro, Orsens, Prestiani, Silva, Schildrop.
Forward: Pavlidis.
Madrid advanced to the knockout playoff for the last-16 by finishing ninth in the first phase of the Champions League with 15 points, while Benfica reached the same stage in 24th place with 9 points.
The two sides met in the final round of the group stage, with Madrid losing 4-2 at The Luz.
The return leg will be staged next week at the Bernabéu to decide who advances to the Round of 16.
Caption: Real Madrid and Benfica lineups ahead of their Champions League playoff.
Punchline 1: If this lineup were a sniper rifle, the headshots would be on target—just maybe not the referee’s decision.
Punchline 2: My joke sheet has better defense than some of these names—hey, at least the humor stays on side!
