Real Madrid News
Karim Benzema opens up on Real Madrid superstar forward’s form – ‘He can’t do it alone’
Kylian Mbappe has been undisputedly the main man for Real Madrid this season, having emerged as a goal-machine under Xabi Alonso.
The French international has already racked up 18 goals in 16 competitive matches this season, even emerging as the only Real Madrid player to be nominated for FIFA’s Best awards.
Mbappe’s performances have not gone unnoticed either, with former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema lauding him for his improved display.
Benzema on Mbappe’s form this season
In a recent interview, Benzema has acknowledged Mbappe’s improved form while pointing out his importance in the Real Madrid setup.
“Mbappe is much better this season; scoring goals isn’t new to him. He did it at PSG, and at Real Madrid he’s going to score many more,” he said.
“What we expect from Kylian is that when he gets the chance, he’ll score it. That’s how Real Madrid is,” he added.
Benzema, though, added that Mbappe must score against big teams as well and combine better with Vinicius Junior if Real Madrid are to win those matches.
“Real Madrid need him a lot, and there are games where he has to score, like vs Atletico Madrid, Liverpool. These are teams that sit back, and he has to step up, work those situations. He has to combine with Vini Jr.,” he said.
He went on to highlight that Mbappe cannot operate alone at Real Madrid and desperately requires co-operation with other teammates.
“Real Madrid is waiting for Mbappe for these moments, to bring home the Champions League. I think he can do it with the other players. He can’t do it alone. He needs Vini Jr, other players… that’s just how it is,” he said.
“I think Vini Jr, Mbappe, Rodrygo (even though he doesn’t play much), Bellingham… they have to communicate. One is there to score goals, another to provide assists,” he added.
Talking about Bellingham and his scoring struggles, Benzema said it is not the Englishman’s duty to score goals, but admitted he needs to combine well with Mbappe.
“We’re not going to tell Bellingham to score goals because that’s Mbappe’s job, nor are we going to tell him to be the number 10 because that’s Bellingham’s role. They need to talk,” he said.
“He’s now better, but he needs to focus more on these moments when Real Madrid needs him because he has everything he needs to do it,” he concluded.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
