Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema recently appeared on the show “Los Amigos de Edu,” where he had an in-depth conversation with Edu Aguirre.
The French forward reflected on his illustrious career at the Santiago Bernabeu while also discussing his current experiences in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema expressed that he feels comfortable and at ease in Saudi Arabia. While he acknowledges that playing there is different from his time at Real Madrid, the competitive nature remains the same.
The expectation to win trophies each season is always present, and the level of football continues to rise year after year.
"I feel good here, calm. It’s not the same as at Madrid, although here you have to always win. Every year the level increases and they demand titles from you," he began saying.
Reflecting on his former teammate, Benzema praised Vinicius for his performances, particularly during the campaign when Real Madrid won the Champions League.
He believes the Br azilian winger has a special talent, capable of executing plays that only the best players in the world can pull off.
Benzema admitted he was disappointed when Vinicius did not win the Ballon d’Or and even sent him a message expressing his feelings.
"He was decisive in every game last year when he won the Champions League."
"I sit down to watch football and see him do things that only the best do. I sent him a message when he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, I was sad," he admitted.
When discussing Kylian Mbappe, Benzema pointed out the differences between their situations. He arrived at Real Madrid as a 21-year-old, while Mbappe made his move at 25.
Benzema explained that the pressure at the club is immense, especially for forwards expected to deliver goals. He noted that every mistake is scrutinised, making it one of the most challenging environments for any player.
"His situation is different to what happened to me. I arrived very young, at 21, and he arrived at 25."
"He knows that at Madrid if you make a mistake, they kill you because they brought you only to score goals. The pressure there is insane."
Benzema stated that he left Madrid at the right time, after achieving everything he set out to accomplish.
Winning numerous titles and securing the Ballon d’Or, he felt it was best to leave on a high rather than risk declining performances in the following season.
"I did everything, I started as a child and ended as a man. With all the titles and the Ballon d’Or, I wanted to go out on a high note. Nobody knows how I would have performed next year."
He also clarified that he had no interest in joining clubs that could directly compete with Real Madrid, such as Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City, as he still holds great respect for the club.
"For me, Real Madrid is the best club in the world and I didn’t want to go and compete for another team that could compete against Madrid like PSG or City," he admitted.
Regarding life after football, Benzema admitted that he is uncertain about becoming a coach, as he believes it is more complicated than being a player.
However, he is determined to stay connected to the sport in some capacity. He also expressed a desire to remain close to Florentino Perez, Real Madrid’s president, once he retires from professional football.
"I don’t know about being a coach, it seems more complicated than being a player. I want to be close to football. I want to be close to Florentino when I retire," he said.