The words are rare but often catch the eye. Exiled in Saudi Arabia for two and a half seasons now, Karim Benzema continues to follow news from Real Madrid. Asked by AS during an interview “teased” by the Spanish sports daily this Monday, the former Merengues number nine gave his opinion on the evolution of Kylian Mbappé in the front line of Madrid’s attack.
After a poor start, Bondynois has gained momentum and has scored 18 goals in 16 games this season under the command of Xabi Alonso. A progress that is appreciated by “KB9”. “He’s much better,” he thought. “Scoring goals is nothing new for him, he already did it at PSG and he will score goals at Real Madrid, even more so,” said the man with five Champions League titles.
But, like any Madrid supporter, Benzema expects more from his former France teammate during the big event. “Real Madrid really needs it. There are games where you have to score goals,” he said, specifically citing the examples of defeats against Atlético Madrid (5-2) and Liverpool (1-0). “They are a team that defends low, and he has to show himself in those moments, finding solutions. »
“He can’t do it alone”
“There would be games where Mbappé wouldn’t even touch the ball,” recalls the current Al-Ittihad striker. “What we expect from Kylian is that he releases as soon as he gets the chance. This is Real Madrid. »
Known for his altruism on the pitch, Benzema also called on Mbappé to be more collective and connected with his teammates in the offensive sector, while Real’s start to the season was marked by some individualistic scenes, such as Vinicius’ angry exit against FC Barcelona.
“Real Madrid is waiting for Mbappé to win the Champions League. I think he can do it, but with other players. He can’t do it alone,” said the man with 354 goals in 648 games for the Spanish giants. “He has to combine with Vinicius. He needs him and the other players. Vinicius, Mbappé, Bellingham, Rodrygo – even though he doesn’t play much – they have to communicate,” insisted the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner.
“One is there to score goals, the other is there to make assists. We will not ask Bellingham to score goals because that is Mbappé’s role, or ask Mbappé to be number 10 because that is Bellingham’s role,” he assured, believing that his compatriot remains “the best”. “But he has to concentrate more on the moments when Real Madrid need him, because he has everything to do it,” he told AS.
