JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe criticized Real Madrid's attitude and inconsistency. He said his team did not play like a champion after losing 2-4 at home to Benfica which made them fail to enter the top eight of the Champions League group.
Mbappe scored twice at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday, January 29, 2026, early morning WIB - bringing his collection to 13 goals in the Champions League this season - but could not prevent the defeat that dropped Real Madrid to ninth in the standings and will face a playoff to qualify for next month's knockout stage.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Turbin scored a header in the 98th minute to spark jubilant celebrations in Lisbon as the hosts qualified for the playoffs in 24th place.
"It's not about quality, it's not about tactics. It's about having a greater desire than your opponent."
"You can see that everything is at stake for Benfica. You can't see that in us. That's the problem."
"Before the game, both teams had something to fight for. We were in the last eight and Benfica were among the 24 teams. We saw it from Benfica, but you don't see it from us," said Mbappe.
Real Madrid have endured a turbulent season, with manager Xabi Alonso losing his job earlier this month, but appear to be improving under Alvaro Arbeloa in recent weeks, including a 2-0 win at home to Villarreal in LaLiga last weekend.
However, the defeat against Benfica made Arbeloa's seat questionable again and prompted Real Madrid to look for a big name coach again.
"I don't have a clear explanation. Our game (at Benfica's home) was not the same as when we played against Villarreal. That's a problem. We are not consistent in our game. We have to solve that problem."
"We can't do it one day, then not the next. A champion team won't do that. We still have two more games (in the Champions League playoffs)."
"It hurts a little. We wanted to have time in February 2026 to improve our game, but instead we will play in the playoffs," said Mbappe.
Real Madrid lost three of eight league games this season, against Liverpool, Manchester City, and now Benfica.
"In the Champions League, every detail is important if you want to win. Benfica showed that if you don't come here with everything you need to win a Champions League game, your opponent will destroy you," Mbappe said.
"It's obviously horrible to lose this way. I don't really have much to say at the moment, I'm not sure what to think. We have so much talent, but we need the same mentality, whoever our opponent is," said midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid will now face Benfica again in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs. The match is clearly a revenge match for Los Blancos.
A number of shortcomings when playing against Benfica previously became a concern for Arbeloa. He doesn't want his team to repeat the same mistakes later.
"I want to say it's just one thing, but there are many aspects. Duel, with the ball, without the ball. We are still far from our potential. We still need to improve a lot," said Arbeloa.
Real Madrid will face Benfica in two legs. They will travel first before hosting the Portuguese at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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