Karim Benzema has opened up on the decision of his friend and France international teammate Kylian Mbappe to reject Real Madrid and stay at Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe has opted to sign a three-year contract extension with the Ligue 1 champions, keeping him in the French capital until 2025. It means he will not be joining Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, as many had expected – with suggestions that he had given his word to the Spanish giants that he would be joining them this year.
It comes less than a year after the French club rejected a world record transfer offer from Los Blancos for the striker, whose contract at the Parc des Princes expires on 30 June. Last week the striker said that the decision on his future will be announced "in a matter of days" and it subsequently brought an end to a long-running saga.
Mbappe was said to have a verbal agreement in place to join Madrid earlier this season and the striker had recently hinted at a move to the Spanish capital while a recent interview suggested that he had been open to leaving France. However, that move did not materialise and he has now penned a lucrative deal in Paris.
Real Madrid striker Benzema returned to the France international setup last year after a five-year absence, and he immediately formed an effective strike partnership alongside Mbappe – who had long-established himself as the star player for Didier Deschamps’ team, starring in their 2018 World Cup success.
Benzema has now given an interview to French media outlet Telefoot’s TF1 show in which he was asked about Mbappe’s decision to remain at the Parc des Princes: “I would have liked him to be able to fulfil his dream of playing for Real Madrid, being together.
Have Your Say! Was Mbappe correct to reject Real Madrid and stay at PSG? Tell us what you think here.
“He chose PSG, we must respect him,” continued the striker. "It is his choice, he has many responsibilities. We will enjoy playing together in the national team. Everyone makes their own decisions. Real Madrid is Real Madrid, I am not disappointed. We are good friends, it will not affect our relationship.”
Benzema’s comments appear to be a clear move to pour cold water on any possible friction between the two players, who will continue to play alongside each other for the French national team. However, such is the status of both players – it is an issue that is never likely to fully disappear.
