Karim Benzema, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, has subtly responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent snub on social media. Ronaldo, during an interview with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, surprisingly chose Real Madrid’s new signing Kylian Mbappe over Benzema when asked to pick between the two.
Benzema and Ronaldo were a formidable duo at Real Madrid, winning four Champions League titles together. However, Benzema often played in Ronaldo’s shadow. After Ronaldo’s departure, Benzema flourished as the main man in Madrid’s attack, leading them to another Champions League triumph in 2021-22.
Ronaldo’s choice on Ferdinand’s show stunned many fans, who were surprised that he would snub Benzema, with whom he shared a close relationship at Santiago Bernabeu. Benzema has now taken a subtle dig at Ronaldo by posting a photo of himself holding the 2022 Ballon d’Or on his Instagram story.
In a recent interview, Benzema spoke about his passion for football and how it has shaped his mindset. “I’ve felt this pressure since I was eight years old, when I first started playing for a professional club,” he said. “Over time, it has transformed into ambition. For this upcoming season, I view it not as pressure but as ambition.”
Benzema’s response to Ronaldo’s snub shows that he is not afraid to stand up for himself. He has proven his worth as a world-class striker, and he is determined to continue to excel for Real Madrid.
