Real Madrid's French striker Kylian Mbappé admitted that his team's performance was inconsistent.

Kylian Mbappé after the loss to Benfica

Mbappé lashes out at Real Madrid players: You're not champions... and you're humiliated.

Real Madrid's French striker Kylian Mbappé admitted that his team's performance was not consistent enough to secure a top-eight finish in their Champions League group, leaving them with the prospect of having to play in the play-offs for the round of 16.

The record 15-time Champions League winners lost 4-2 to Benfica, managed by former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, finishing ninth in their group. 

This means they will face either the Portuguese side again or Norway's Bodø/Glimt in February, instead of qualifying directly for the round of 16. After three consecutive wins in their previous three matches against Levante (2-0), Monaco (6-1), and Villarreal (2-0) under new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid were brought back down to earth against Benfica in Lisbon.

Following the defeat, Mbappé said: "The problem is our inconsistency. We have to address this. We can't play well one day and badly the next; a champion team doesn't do that." He added: "We deserve to be in this position today. 

Benfica were better, and now we have two more playoff matches. It's painful to have to play these two games. We wanted to use February to work on improving our performance."

Mbappé emphasized that he couldn't pinpoint a single reason behind Real Madrid's lackluster performance against Benfica: "I think it's a combination of several factors. I can't say it's just a mental issue because if I did, you'd think we came here without any desire."

The French star, who scored both of his team's goals, continued: "If I told you it was just a footballing problem, you'd think the team was bad. No, I think it's a broader issue, and in the Champions League, every detail matters if you want to beat your opponent."

 He went on to say: "This shows you that if you don't go into a match with everything necessary to win the Champions League, your opponent will come and, as they say, humiliate you." Mbappé urged Real Madrid fans to support the team at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, instead of booing them as they did earlier in January.

He pleaded with the fans, saying: "Come and support the team. We played badly, but we haven't been eliminated from the Champions League, and we're in a good position in La Liga right now. If the Bernabéu is with us, we'll win on Sunday."