Kylian Mbappé, still finding his footing at Real Madrid, faced criticism after a lackluster performance in El Clasico at the Bernabeu. Ahead of their upcoming clash with AC Milan, Mbappé’s former French teammate, Karim Benzema, has voiced a warning to Madrid about potential issues with the young star’s role and adaptation.
Benzema, who became a cornerstone of Real Madrid following Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, remains deeply connected to the club’s journey even after moving to Al Ittihad. In a recent interview with *El Chiringuito*, he reflected on Mbappé’s early challenges and offered a nuanced take on his situation.
Following his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé has had a mixed start with Los Blancos, struggling to make a strong impact in Madrid’s attacking line. Fans, particularly after the recent match against Barcelona, have started to express frustration. Benzema, who knows Mbappé well from their time on the French national team, sees a few key issues.
Benzema argues that Mbappé’s ideal position is on the left wing, where he’s had the most success, rather than as a central forward. However, that spot at Madrid is already held by Vinícius Jr., who Benzema describes as essential in that role. This creates a challenge for Madrid’s lineup, as both players are best suited to the same position on the pitch.
Additionally, Benzema suggests that Mbappé needs to embrace the pressure and adapt to his role at Madrid. He emphasizes that the scrutiny in Madrid is unmatched, and without consistent scoring, Mbappé could face mounting pressure from fans and media. Benzema encourages him to channel that pressure into motivation, confident that Mbappé has the talent to overcome the challenges and thrive.
Ultimately, Benzema believes Mbappé has the potential to succeed and make a lasting impact at Real Madrid — if he can adapt to the expectations and his role within the team.