Karim Benzema believes that Kylian Mbappe must adapt to playing as a central striker at Real Madrid since Vinicius Junior has firmly claimed the left wing spot. Benzema, a former Real forward and one of the club’s all-time top scorers, commented on Spanish TV program El Chiringuito, emphasizing that Mbappe’s transition to a central role is essential if he’s to succeed at the club.
Mbappe joined Real Madrid over the summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has shown a strong start with eight goals in 14 games. However, his scoring rate has dropped recently, with only one goal in his last five matches. The 25-year-old prefers playing on the left, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has maintained Vinicius in that position, leaving Mbappe to adjust to the striker role.
“The issue is that Mbappe is not a natural central striker,” Benzema observed. “Even when he plays as a number nine for France, he doesn’t look comfortable in that role, because it’s simply not his ideal position.”
Vinicius’ prominence on the left creates a unique challenge, Benzema noted, as he described Vinicius as “a player on the same level as Mbappe.” This leaves little room for repositioning. “Vinicius can’t be shifted to the right or forced to play as a number nine, as his impact on the left wing is consistently game-changing,” he added.
Benzema, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, left a significant legacy at Real, scoring extensively and capturing numerous titles, including the Ballon d’Or in 2022. He acknowledged the pressure Mbappe faces and advised him to prepare for potential scrutiny if he doesn’t meet expectations in his new role. “If you go two or three games without scoring, it becomes an issue,” he warned.
The stakes are high, especially following Real’s recent 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, a game where Mbappe struggled to influence play. Benzema’s parting words for his successor were clear: “Don’t give up, because it’s unlikely Vinicius will be moved. Mbappe has to understand that, at least for now, he’s Real Madrid’s number nine.”
