Benzema: Instagram post not aimed at Mbappe

FT Desk

• 25 May 2022 12:24 BST
• 3 min read

Karim Benzema was one of a number of players who took to social media after Kylian Mbappe snubbed Real Madrid to extend his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, but he insists there is no ill-feeling with his France colleague.

Benzema and Mbappe have been international team-mates since last year when the former returned to the France set-up in time for the belated UEFA Euro 2020, which was hosted by 11 associations across the continent.

They have been as thick as thieves since, regularly praising each other as players and people in public. All signs seemed to be pointing to the attackers being reunited at club level in 2022/23, with Real Madrid confident of landing Mbappe.

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But the 23-year-old shocked the footballing fraternity last weekend when he instead extended his deal with PSG, for a reported signing on fee north of €100 million and a yearly salary of more than €20m after tax.

Benzema posted a picture of Tupac on his Instagram, with a friend who betrayed the rapper before his 1996 assassination shown in the background. In posting the image, some thought Benzema was accusing Mbappe of betraying him.

Benzema was also photographed pointing up towards the Real badge, but he says it is a positive gesture towards his club, rather than a negative one against his France team-mate.

"The story with my hand pointing to the Real Madrid shield is not against Mbappe," he told Spanish sports daily AS. "It's because I love Real Madrid."

Benzema's Real team-mate Luka Modric early told Spanish media he "wasn't going to do an Mbappe" when it came to extending his own contract at the Bernabeu, but then moved to end conversation swirling around any perceived slight.

What does Mbappe say?

"Yes, yes, and I saw several Real Madrid players publishing things. I have nothing to say," Mbappe told Marca.

"Of course, when I go to the French national team, I will explain to Karim why I stayed at PSG because we have a good relationship."