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Real Madrid: Karim Benzema on his role model Ronaldo and problem with Mourinho – SOCCER

He is THE player of the season: Karim Benzema (34)!

The Frenchman has scored 44 times in 46 competitive games, crowned top scorer in the Champions League AND the Spanish league. Thanks to him, Real Madrid won the premier class, the league and the Spanish Super Cup.

Now Benzema reveals in an interview with “Onze Mondial” that he had some initial difficulties at Real, and also talks about his problem with star coach José Mourinho (59) and his role model at Royal!

13 years ago (2009) Benzema moved from Olympique Lyon to Madrid for €35m. It wasn’t easy at the beginning: “My first season, the first six months were very difficult. I was alone, couldn’t speak the language and that made everything even more complicated. I was also in a new world, a different team, different football. Luckily I didn’t give up,” said Benzema.

In 2010, José Mourinho took over as coach from Manuel Pellegrini (68) at the royal team. Benzema admits: “I had a little problem with Mourinho. We met at the hotel and talked before the game against Mallorca. When we were arguing, I told him, ‘Tomorrow I’ll line up, I’ll score a goal and win the game.’ The next day I scored a goal and we won 1-0.”

Mourinho left Real again in the summer of 2013, Benzema (contract until 2023) stayed and became one of the top performers. “I play by instinct, I’m an instinctive player. Whatever comes to my mind, I also do on the pitch,” he explains his style of play. “I never say to myself, ‘I’m going to play this defender, I have to do this or that’.”

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Liverpool coach steps on the gas
Casual dance moves by Kloppo!

Source: BILD/Instagram

He was also inspired by ex-teammate Cristiano Roanldo (36/at Real from 2009 to 2018): “When I watched him, I tried to focus on his movements: dribbling, finishing, passing, his handling of the ball. I analyzed everything about him.” However, it was “impossible”, the same as to reach him.

The French national player has already achieved great things with Real Madrid (including five Champions League titles and four Spanish championships) – but that’s not enough for Benzema: “I still have a lot of things on my mind. I want to win more titles, the Champions League more often. And the World Cup with the national team. That’s all I dream of.”

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