Benzema Urges Mbappé to Elevate Performance at Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has expressed that Kylian Mbappé needs to elevate his performance for Real Madrid, especially during critical matches.

In a conversation with Diario AS, Benzema, who enjoyed a successful 14-year tenure at Madrid before transferring to Al Ittihad in July 2023, stated regarding his former France teammate, “He’s immensely talented; scoring goals is not new to him. He excelled at Paris Saint-Germain and will undoubtedly achieve even greater success at Real Madrid.”

At 26, Mbappé had an impressive debut season with Madrid, netting 43 goals across all competitions and finishing as the top scorer in LaLiga. He has continued this strong form into the current season, scoring 18 goals in 16 appearances.

Benzema noted, “He needs to be more focused in key moments when Real Madrid relies on him, as he possesses all the necessary attributes to deliver. There will be matches where Mbappé may not see much of the ball; however, we expect him to capitalize on his opportunities. This is the essence of Real Madrid. The team needs him, particularly against teams like Atlético Madrid and Liverpool, who tend to defend deeply. He must rise to the occasion and tackle such situations.”

Additionally, Benzema shared his observations about the team’s dynamics, emphasizing the need for enhanced communication among the attacking players: “I believe Vinícius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham must communicate better. Each player has specific roles—one to score, another to assist. We shouldn’t expect Bellingham to be a goal scorer, as that is Mbappé’s responsibility, nor should we ask him to assume the playmaker role, which belongs to Bellingham. Clear communication is key.”

Meanwhile, Benzema expressed his enjoyment playing in Saudi Arabia and remains open about his future at Al Ittihad, where his current contract runs until June 2026.

“It’s true that my contract is approaching its conclusion,” said the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner. “I can’t definitively say whether I will stay or depart; many factors influence that decision. I will be 38 in December and envision myself playing for another two years. Physically, I feel great, and I continue to work hard and enjoy the game. We will see what unfolds and what the club’s perspective is.”

Benzema added, “I prefer direct conversations to understand their viewpoint. Ideally, I would like to remain here, but I won’t stay merely for the sake of extending my tenure if it doesn’t make sense. The quality of football in the league is improving consistently.”