Karim Benzema leaves Kylian Mbappe OUT of his vote for French footballer of the year amid reports of a 'deep hostility' between the pair
Karim Benzema reportedly did not include Kylian Mbappe in his vote for French footballer of the season for the 2023-24 campaign. Despite the snub from his compatriot, Mbappe once again received the award, with the period covering his last season at PSG before following in Benzema’s footsteps to join Real Madrid. The result sees Mbappe […]
Karim Benzema reportedly did not include Kylian Mbappe in his vote for French footballer of the season for the 2023-24 campaign.
Despite the snub from his compatriot, Mbappe once again received the award, with the period covering his last season at PSG before following in Benzema’s footsteps to join Real Madrid.
The result sees Mbappe draw level with Benzema as a four-time winner of the award, with only Thierry Henry with five having won more.
Mbappe’s final campaign in the French capital was mired with controversy off the pitch as he looked to force a move away from the club that he joined in 2017.
However, despite internal conflict surrounding his decision Mbappe remained as prolific as ever in his final season at the Parc des Princes, scoring 44 goals in all competitions as Luis Enrique’s side completed a league and cup double.
In the voting for the award Mbappe finished just five points ahead of Arsenal stalwart William Saliba, with AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan in third.
Kylian Mbappe was named French Footballer of the Year for a fourth time earlier this week
Arsenal defender William Saliba finished as runner-up, with the award covering the 2023-24 season
However, despite Mbappe scoring 44 goals that season, Karim Benzema found no place for him in his top three
On Saturday France Football revealed that Benzema had found no place for Benzema in his nominations, with the 36-year-old instead selecting Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola and Saliba for his top three.
The omission comes amid reports of a rift between the two forwards, with L’Equipe reporting that a ‘deep hostility’ exists between the pair.
Fellow Saudi Pro League star N’Golo Kante also left Mbappe out of his top three, with the two-time Premier League winner selecting Saliba, Jules Kounde and Camavinga.
Since arriving at the Bernabeu this summer Mbappe has endured a maiden campaign of mixed fortunes in La Liga.
The 25-year-old has found his preferred position on the left occupied by Ballon d’Or winner Vinicius Jr, with Carlo Ancelotti instead deploying him centrally.
Speaking last month, Benzema insisted Mbappe must learn to adapt if he is to replicate the sustained success he enjoyed in Ligue 1 with Los Blancos.
‘The problem, in my opinion, is that [Mbappe] is not a central striker,’ Benzema told Spanish television programme El Chiringuito.
‘On the left, he’s got a guy who’s at the same level as him, Vinicius, so there is a problem. You can’t play Vinicius as a number nine or on the right, because when he plays on the left he makes the difference in every game.
Benzema previously claimed Mbappe is ill-suited for Real Madrid’s current system
‘Mbappe isn’t a real number nine. People ask a lot of him and he’s under a lot of pressure, this isn’t Paris St-Germain.’
Arriving on a free transfer amid significant fanfare in July, Mbappe failed to score in his first three appearances in the Spanish top flight.
A strong spell followed throughout September as he netted in four consecutive league appearances for the club, including both goals in a 2-0 win at home to Real Betis.
Consistency would prove hard to come by however, and the Frenchman was forced off after opening the scoring in a Champions League clash against Atalanta on Tuesday.
Real are said to be hopeful that Mbappe can soon return to action, with Ancelotti insisting the setback ‘isn’t very serious’ ahead of the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final next week.
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