Real Madrid forward Rodrygo will miss both legs of the Champions League play-off against Benfica after receiving a two-match suspension for dissent. The Brazilian was sent off in a 4-2 defeat to the Portuguese side on January 28, marking his first red card for the club. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces further challenges with Jude Bellingham sidelined by injury.
Real Madrid's preparations for the Champions League play-off round have been hampered by a two-match ban for forward Rodrygo Goes. The 25-year-old Brazilian received two yellow cards in stoppage time during the 4-2 loss to Benfica on January 28, 2026, at the Estadio da Luz. His dismissal came after showing dissent to referee Davide Massa, with UEFA later extending the punishment to two games for abusive language toward officials.
This suspension rules Rodrygo out of the first leg on February 17 at Benfica's stadium and the return fixture on February 25 at the Bernabeu. It is the first red card of his Real Madrid career, where he has scored three goals and provided six assists in 26 appearances this season, including one goal in five Champions League matches.
Rodrygo issued an apology on social media the following day: “Yesterday, I got carried away in the heat of the moment when complaining about time wasting. That’s not how I usually behave. I had never been sent off playing for Real Madrid and I am aware of the consequences. I apologise to the fans, the club, my teammates and the coach. We will continue to stand together and fight for this badge and for this Champions League.”
The defeat saw Benfica qualify for the play-offs via a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, after Real Madrid had a late goal disallowed for a foul on him. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over recently, will also be without defender Raul Asencio for the first leg due to his own sending off for two fouls. UEFA fined both clubs €40,000 and warned managers Jose Mourinho and Arbeloa for delaying kick-off.
Compounding the issues, midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to miss around a month with a hamstring injury sustained in a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on February 1. However, defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy are set to return within two weeks, bolstering the backline alongside Dean Huijsen.
