- 16 hours ago
Mbappe’s Real Madrid career sabotaged by toxic Benzema relationship?
Robin Bairner
- 20 Dec 2024 08:30 GMT
- 4 min read
Karim Benzema continues to cast a long shadow at Real Madrid – and the impact of the former France centre-forward may just help explain why Kylian Mbappe has struggled to settle at the Bernabeu.
In just a matter of months, Mbappe has endured a series of problems at his new club, from press criticism to poor form and even serious allegations over his personal life that he profoundly denied and have since been dropped.
Brought in to replace Benzema, who departed for the Saudi Pro League as a free agent in the summer of 2023, Mbappe has struggled to fill the Ballon d’Or winner’s boots.
Current ETV
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€109.6M - €182.6M
For his part, Benzema has claimed simply that the former PSG player is being used in the wrong position.
“For me, it’s that Kylian is not a centre-forward,” Benzema told El Chiringuito. “Ever time he’s played as No.9 for the national team, he’s not been good. It’s not his position. But the problem is, that’s on the left, where there’s Vinicius Junior, the best player in the world currently.”
But could there be more to it than that?
‘Profound enmity’ with Mbappe
Benzema remains a highly respected player among the Real Madrid squad. This was evident on Thursday as Vini Jr sent the striker a birthday greeting via social media.
“Happy birthday my brother, I wish you all the best. I love you. The best,” Vini said via an Instagram stories post.
But back in France, the relationship between Benzema and Mbappe is said to be dreadful. Indeed, Benz did not vote for his successor at Real Madrid in France Football’s French Player of the Year vote, which was eventually claimed by the Bernabeu star.
The publication described a “profound enmity” between the two men. It did not go into more detail, but it has set tongues wagging back in France. What the source of this agitation is unclear as the combination between Benzema and Mbappe was, initially, outstanding when they played for the national team.
Could this reportedly toxic relationship between the pair be seeping into the Bondy star’s transition at club level?
That is unclear, but it would be natural if Vini Jr had a significant level of loyalty to Benzema after playing with him for so many years. After all, it was the veteran who helped guide him to the heights that have allowed him to win FIFA’s The Best prize for 2024.
All this certainly adds a new layer of complexity to Mbappe’s transition to becoming a respected member of the Real Madrid squad, with Benzema’s lingering influence potentially a factor working against the summer addition.
