In an interview on El Chiringuito, Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema issued a caution to Kylian Mbappe, who has stepped into the role of Real Madrid’s central striker and now wears the number 9 jersey after Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia. Benzema warned that if Mbappe goes “two or three games” without scoring, “they’re going to kill him.”
Since arriving on a high-profile free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has scored eight goals in 14 appearances, which is respectable, but his adaptation has not been entirely smooth. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is still experimenting with the lineup to find the best system that includes Mbappe while compensating for the control in midfield lost following Toni Kroos’ unexpected retirement. During El Clasico, Mbappe struggled, frequently caught offside as Barcelona ran out 4-0 winners, widening their lead in La Liga by nine points.
Benzema believes that Mbappe’s main challenge is that he is “not a center forward.” The 36-year-old pointed out that when Mbappe plays as a “9” for France, “it’s not good; it’s not his position.” Benzema noted that Mbappe has been placed centrally at Real Madrid because of the presence of Vinicius Junior on the left wing, whom Benzema acknowledges as another player of high caliber.
Reflecting on his own early struggles at Real Madrid after arriving from Lyon in 2009, Benzema suggested that his experience was different from Mbappe’s. “I was 21 years old when I came, and he is 25 now. He understands that there is intense pressure at Real Madrid,” he said. Benzema emphasized that Mbappe will need to adjust to this pressure and perform consistently, stating, “Every game is a fresh opportunity, and scoring is expected. That’s why they brought him in, and he has the capability to do it.”
Above all, Benzema urged Mbappe not to lose heart, emphasizing that the level of expectation at Real Madrid is different from PSG. Regarding Mbappe’s compatibility with Vinicius Junior, Benzema explained that Vinicius is most effective on the left and doesn’t fit as a right-winger or center forward. “Vinicius makes the difference on the left,” Benzema noted.
He concluded by saying that Mbappe should embrace his new role as a striker and adapt his game accordingly. “Mbappe has been brilliant on the left, but now he needs to be successful as a ‘9’. It’s up to Ancelotti to balance things, but moving Vinicius is not an option—he’s the best in the world in that position,” Benzema affirmed.
