Ronaldo’s Surprising Pick: Mbappe Over Benzema – The Subtle Response from His Former Teammate

chike

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema shared years of success at Real Madrid, forming one of the most dominant attacking duos in modern football. Together, they won four Champions League titles, including the iconic three-peat from 2015 to 2018. Despite their chemistry on the pitch, Ronaldo recently stunned fans by choosing Kylian Mbappe over Benzema in a “better player” challenge on his YouTube channel. This decision has sparked a quiet yet telling response from Benzema, highlighting an underlying tension between the two former teammates.

Mbappe

Ronaldo’s Surprising Choice

In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo was asked to choose between two of the world’s most elite forwards: Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe. His decision to go with Mbappe, Real Madrid’s latest marquee signing, over his former partner Benzema left fans surprised. After all, Benzema had been a crucial part of Ronaldo’s success at Madrid. The two shared the pitch for nine seasons, winning numerous titles, including two La Liga crowns and the aforementioned Champions League triumphs.

Ronaldo’s decision led to a wave of reactions on social media, with many pointing out the incredible chemistry he had with Benzema. Yet, despite their storied past, it appears Ronaldo believes that Mbappe, with his immense potential and youth, could soon surpass his former colleague.

Benzema’s Subtle Response

Karim Benzema, not one to engage in open social media spats, responded in his own subtle way. The French striker posted a picture of his 2022 Ballon d’Or trophy on Instagram, seemingly reminding the world of his individual success after Ronaldo’s departure from Madrid. This moment was a clear statement: while Benzema had spent years playing in Ronaldo’s shadow, he had flourished after Ronaldo’s exit in 2018, leading Madrid to another Champions League title in 2022 and earning the prestigious Ballon d’Or for his efforts.

For years, Benzema was seen as the supporting act to Ronaldo’s stardom at Madrid. However, once Ronaldo left for Juventus, Benzema took on the role of Madrid’s main attacking force, guiding the team through multiple seasons and ultimately proving himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

Benzema’s Reflections on Pressure and Ambition

While Benzema’s post might be seen as a subtle dig, the French striker has always maintained a professional demeanor. Recently, he opened up about his mindset and how his passion for football has shaped his career. In an interview, Benzema shared his thoughts on pressure:

“I’ve felt this pressure since I was eight years old, when I first started playing for a professional club. Over time, it has transformed into ambition. For this upcoming season, I view it not as pressure but as ambition. This mindset drives me to excel and help my team win.”

His reflections highlight the motivation that pushed him to succeed, particularly after Ronaldo’s departure. Benzema has evolved from a player under the spotlight of others to a leader and driving force for both Real Madrid and now Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo’s Praise for Mbappe

Despite the buzz around his snub of Benzema, Ronaldo didn’t downplay his respect for Mbappe, calling the Frenchman a future Ballon d’Or winner. Speaking about Mbappe’s move to Madrid, Ronaldo praised the club’s structure and the young star’s immense potential:

“I think he will do well because of the structure of the club… He has shown what he is capable of doing. In my opinion, he can be the next Golden Ball [Ballon d’Or] winner.”

Ronaldo went on to highlight other young talents such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal, emphasizing the bright future of the next generation of football superstars.

A Reunion on the Horizon?

Interestingly, both Ronaldo and Benzema now play in Saudi Arabia, with Ronaldo starring for Al-Nassr and Benzema at Al-Ittihad. The two former teammates are set to face off in the Saudi Pro League in December, a match that could reignite their competitive spirits. With both players now in the twilight of their careers, fans are eager to see how they perform against one another.

Avatar for chike
chike

You May Also Like

More From Author

+ There are no comments

Add yours