Karim Benzema has seemingly responded to Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star chose Kylian Mbappe over him in a recent interview. Fans were quick to speculate that Benzema felt snubbed by his former teammate’s choice, leading to a subtle but noticeable reaction on social media.
Both Karim Benzema and Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009, forming part of an iconic team that dominated European football. Along with Gareth Bale, they made up the lethal “BBC” trio, helping Real Madrid to four Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns during their time together. While Ronaldo often took the spotlight, Benzema played a crucial supporting role, sacrificing his individual accolades to elevate Ronaldo’s game. It wasn’t until Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018 that Benzema truly stepped into his own, with his goal-scoring numbers rising and his role at Real Madrid becoming more prominent. His best season came in 2021/22 when he scored 44 goals in 46 matches, leading Real Madrid to both La Liga and Champions League titles. This stellar performance earned Benzema the coveted Ballon d’Or, cementing his place among football’s elite.
Despite their long-standing partnership, Ronaldo recently stirred the pot when, during a light-hearted ‘This or That’ quiz with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, he picked Kylian Mbappe over Benzema. While the quiz was meant to be casual, fans and media alike began speculating about Benzema’s feelings. Soon after the interview aired, Benzema posted an image of his 2022 Ballon d’Or on Instagram, and notably, changed his profile picture to the prestigious trophy. Fans quickly interpreted these moves as a subtle response to Ronaldo’s perceived slight.
Social media buzzed with reactions. One fan commented, “Karim Benzema responds to Ronaldo picking Mbappe by flaunting his Ballon d’Or.” Another joked, “They’re having a civil war,” while some suggested that if Benzema had won the World Cup with France in 2018, he might have used that achievement instead. The playful back-and-forth even led one fan to speculate on Ronaldo’s strained relationships with other former teammates: “Ronaldo has now lost both Benzema and Rooney—two strikers who sacrificed their games for him.
Ronaldo Chooses Mbappe Over Karim Benzema Fans Speculate Tension
However, it’s important to note that if this was indeed a response from Benzema, Ronaldo still holds a considerable advantage with five Ballon d’Ors to Benzema’s one.
In Ronaldo’s defense, he has played alongside some of the greatest talents in football, making him well-suited to compare them. During the interview with Ferdinand, Ronaldo had already picked David Beckham over Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs over Beckham. So, when asked to choose between Benzema and Mbappe, Ronaldo chose the latter, perhaps in recognition of Mbappe’s remarkable international success, having already scored 48 goals for France compared to Benzema’s 37.
Though some fans saw this as a slight against his former Real Madrid teammate, others argue that such quickfire questions don’t always reflect deep feelings. Benzema himself has previously praised another of Ronaldo’s long-time rivals, Lionel Messi. When asked about Messi’s form at PSG in 2022, Benzema fiercely defended the Argentine, saying, “Messi just needs time to adapt. You can’t criticize a player like him. Anyone who does simply doesn’t understand football.”
Regardless of the underlying emotions, the playful exchange has ignited discussions among fans about the dynamic between these two former teammates, both of whom have left an indelible mark on football history.
Karim Benzema has seemingly delivered a subtle response to Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese football icon picked Kylian Mbappe over him during a recent interview. Fans were quick to speculate that Benzema felt slighted by his former teammate’s decision, leading to a carefully measured yet noticeable reaction on social media that got everyone talking. The two former Real Madrid stars shared a remarkable history on the pitch, making Ronaldo’s choice of Mbappe particularly intriguing for fans and followers of their storied careers.
Both Benzema and Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, marking the beginning of a golden era for the Spanish giants. Alongside Gareth Bale, they formed the iconic “BBC” trio, which was widely regarded as one of the most formidable attacking forces in football. Together, they helped Real Madrid secure four Champions League titles and two La Liga championships, becoming legends at the club. Throughout their time together, Benzema often took on a selfless role, allowing Ronaldo to shine and claim the spotlight. The French striker frequently adjusted his play to support Ronaldo, making personal sacrifices for the benefit of the team. However, after Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in 2018, Benzema’s individual talent truly came to the forefront.
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