Karim Benzema did not hesitate choosing between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr as the best player at Real Madrid.
The two have linked up at Benzema's former club this season after Mbappe joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain but Carlo Ancelotti has struggled to get the best out of both players so far.
Both like to operate in the same space on the left flank, which has caused a serious conundrum and affected the flow of the Spanish and European champions' attack.
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Mbappe, who took Benzema's No.9 shirt at the Santiago Bernabeu, has operated down the middle. But compatriot Benzema is not convinced by playing as a central striker, telling El Chiringuito: "Every time he plays with France as a '9' it is not good, it is not his position".
Benzema also added that "on the left there is another player of his level", referencing his former Los Blancos teammate Vinicius.
He also then stated that although the two play in the same area, Vinicius, who came second to Rodri in the Ballon d'Or rankings, is the best in the role at present.
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Benzema continued: "Let's see how Ancelotti does this ... [He's] not going to move Vinicius because he is the best in the world right now in this position. Mbappe has to get it into his head that he should be a '9' and forget about the left. He's been very good on this side, but now he has to be good somewhere else."
Mbappe has scored eight goals in 14 appearances for Real but Benzema himself knows just how demanding the fans and media are and said "they're going to kill you" if you're not prolific enough.
"My situation in the first year and Kylian's is different," he explained.
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"I was 21 years old and he is 25 right now. He knows that there is a lot of pressure at Real Madrid.
"If you don't score a goal in two or three games, they're going to kill you."
Topics: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
Josh Lawless