Haaland? Mbappe? Ancelotti reveals Real Madrid’s successor to Benzema
Suraj Radia
- 7 Nov 2022 18:24 GMT
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are continuing to plot for life after Karim Benzema, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe long considered the most-likely successors to the Frenchman.
Benzema is coming off the back of his most successful year ever, having scored 44 goals in all competitions last season and lifting the Ballon d’Or in October.
The 34-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and, while Real are expected to extend Benzema’s 13-year stay in Madrid, the club have naturally been planning for the future.
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However, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that Benzema’s heir could already be at the club after claiming that winger Rodrygo could eventually feature as a striker.
When asked whether the 21-year-old could emulate the success of former Madridista Ronaldo, Ancelotti said: “If he reaches that level then that will mean Real Madrid should build a statue of Rodrygo.
“He has so much potential, more as a centre-forward or behind the No.9 than as a winger. I think that’ll be his position.”
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Haaland is understood to have a €200 million release clause in his contract at Manchester City that will become active in 2024, while Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain is still uncertain.
Real are believed to be prioritising Haaland, with tensions still sore after Mbappe’s last-minute U-turn to back out of an agreement to sign for the club during the summer.
Mbappe opted to extend his contract at PSG, making him one of the highest-paid athletes of all time, but he is already reportedly keen to leave the club after they allegedly broke a series of promises to him.
However, PSG are reportedly not willing to sell Mbappe to Real and the Spanish side may have to wait until his contract expires in 2024, although he does retain the option to extend for a further year.
With Haaland and Mbappe not being realistic options for Real for another 18 months, the club may choose to continue with Benzema and slowly mould Rodrygo into the striker that Ancelotti believes he will become.
Rodrygo is enjoying a breakout season in Madrid, having already matched his La Liga goals total from last season and forming an important part of Real’s attack with Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
