Zidane: Benzema not available for Real Madrid's game vs. Valladolid

Karim Benzema will miss Real Madrid's game against Real Valladolid this weekend, coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Friday.

Alarm bells sounded on Friday morning when Benzema wasn't involved in Madrid training and Zidane has since confirmed his unavailability.

"Karim won't be with us on Saturday," the Frenchman said. "He's had some discomfort since Thursday. We will see if he's recovered for next week. We will decide depending on how the problem evolves."

Benzema's absence leaves Madrid without their star forward against Valladolid but the biggest concern will be if he will be back in time to face Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek.

It also adds to Madrid injury problems, with a number of players missing games in recent weeks.

"Whenever players miss games it's a blow," Zidane added. "We know what Karim means for the team but he's injured and he cannot play. So we have to think about the players we do have and try and get Karim and the rest back as soon as possible."

Asked about the possibility of Kylian Mbappe coming to Real Madrid following his midweek heroics for Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona, Zidane wasn't so forthcoming.

"I will not go into that," he said. "Yes, everyone talks about the game and what Mbappe did does not surprise anyone because I know him.

"I watched it as a fan and, to make it clear, the most important thing is what we have to do tomorrow and the rest I watch with pleasure and attention."

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