Despite being a Real Madrid “Galactico,” World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe has been informed he “doesn’t reach Karim Benzema’s ankle” in terms of “levels.”
The France international ultimately finalized a deal to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024 after multiple transfer windows plagued by conjecture over his future. As Mbappe’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired, the way was opened for him to move to Spain.
Mbappe has only scored seven goals in 11 games for Real Madrid, and he seems to be putting club over nation after pulling out of Didier Deschamps’ most recent France squad. The 25-year-old appeared to be recovering from a knock, but he started for Real Madrid against Villarreal.
Patrice Evra, a former member of Les Bleus, said on Jeremy Rothen’s S’enflamme podcast that Mbappe was exaggerating his influence compared to his position in the French league: “You harm your friendship with [Florentino] Perez if you call him up and he gets hurt. PSG is not Real Madrid. That sort of risk is beyond your means. To be honest, though, you are the ones who created this mythology surrounding Mbappe. Respectfully speaking, he is not on the same level as Benzema. Right now, he doesn’t even get close to Benzema’s ankle.”
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema scored 354 goals in 648 games with the Blancos, winning the Ballon d’Or and leading the team to four La Liga wins and five Champions League triumphs. Mbappe, who has performed better for France, aspires to be as successful as his renowned countrymate.