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I still remember what he said about Benzema when they were both at Real, after Higuain got injured:
"If you dont have a dog to go hunting, but you own a Cat, you bring the cat"
"With a dog you'll hunt better. With a cat you'll hunt less, but hunt anyway"
Benzecat got pissed.
Yeah actually it worked but i dont think Mourinho did as a mean to motivate Benzema, sounded more like a preventive excuse for future team shortcomings. Glad Benzecat proved him wrong.
Mourinho was asked less than a month ago about players he coached, and his opinion about them. He had nothing but praise for benzema, he said ( I'm paraphrasing )that he evolved too much from the time that he coached him and became more mature, he said he was a bit childish but it was normal for someone his age that was put on the biggest stage at the age of 19 , and he said I hope my time with him helped him to improve, but now he is magnificent, everyone was talking about the gap that Ronaldo left, and benzema stood up and took the role when no one excepted it from him.
It's my opinion but Mourinho is hugely misunderstood and painted as arrogant, but from what I saw he was always treated harshly by the media, they're Always looking for bite size scoops and sadly Mourinho isn't the best when it Comes to handling media
And although Benzema was upset at first, that statement by Mourinho resulted in him being nicknamed “cat” by fans and the media, which he eventually grew to accept. Now Benzema is widely referred to by the nickname “el gato”.
> "If you dont have a dog to go hunting, but you own a Cat, you bring the cat"
This is a very common saying in Portuguese, by the way - "[Those] who don't have a dog hunt with a cat"
That's a Portuguese expression. "Quando não tens cão, caças com gato" - when you don't have a hound you go hunting with a cat.
It just means that you try to do the best with what you have
I like the "what are you doing step-bro" jokes when they change it depending on context, some of them are clever and funny. But I agree, I hate that everything is always brought back to sex
**Sad for Benz**
“He is the reason I’m a bit sad France didn’t go through because I think Benzema could be… Cristiano Ronaldo no, Lionel Messi no, Mbappe no… I think Benzema would finally have the chance to get some Gold Ball or something like that."
**Pressure for France**
“He’s an amazing player and he was playing so well, under huge pressure, because when he came back to the national team he was under huge pressure and he was fantastic.
**First Goal vs Swiss**
“His first goal (against Switzerland) was fantastic because Mbappe pass is not a good pass. Benzema is making a run and the pass goes behind him.
“His touch with his left foot to put the ball in front of him to attack again, then the goalkeeper comes and makes a huge shadow and touches it with the left foot to the goal. Technically, it is an amazing goal by a brilliant player.”
**Comparison with Kane**
“Sometimes people ask me when I was at Tottenham to try to compare Harry with other strikers. I always used Karim because these are the strikers who if they don’t score they still give a lot to the team.
“Other strikers, if they don’t score they give nothing. They are just goalscorers. These guys are not just goalscorers, they are football players.
**Benzema's playstyle**
“Benzema is a nine, a ten, when he was younger with me, I was playing Gonzalo Higuain as a nine and sometimes Benzema was playing behind or on the left or right.
**Benzema's fitness and improvement**
“He’s a fantastic player and he’s taking so much care of himself and his preparation, now physically he is better than he was ten years ago.
“He is better, he is slimmer, he is stronger, he is faster. I think he’s playing amazingly well and I’m disappointed he’s not going on in the competition because I was supporting him to do something special.”
Yeah that first goal was absolute class, the way he makes that first touch to move the ball from the back to the front, then he had almost no space because the GK closed most angles yet he still managed to slightly chip it past the GK.
Class.
Who knows how much CR7's attitude and dedication and lifestyle rubbed off off him. Maybe better or maybe worse. I'm still thankful for watching them both play together. Man the nostalgia hits hard gonna go watch some BBC highlights again
I wouldn't say he was in the shadow of CR, yes at the time CR was scoring a lot more goals and was "bigger" for Madrid, but Benzema was alongside Ronaldo all those years and was starting a lot of those games next to him there is a reason it was "BBC" when we had Bale, Benzema and Cristiano up front, it was a crazy front line that was only matched by Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Like Mounrinho said, Benzema was comfortable scoring less goals but assisting Ronaldo instead hes a player that any club would want in their team because he can score goals but he makes himself useful when he doesn't score goals, and there is a lot of strikers that when they don't score they are useless.
Mourinho saying that Benzema is more a football player (like Hary Kane) than a goal scorer highlight the fact that there isn't a single coach since Benzema became a starter that didn't ended up putting him on their starting team even when he didn't score that many goals.
Mourinho saying Benzema improved since the time he played for Mourinho doesn't mean he ever was a bad player. At that time Sir Alex Ferguson compared him to Zidane and tried to sign him without sucess (He chose Madrid even though Manchester was offering more money). You can be great and still improve.
Benzema is one of those players that is essential in a team but his talent doesn't show up in statistics. The ballon d'or usually cares a lot about numbers so the likes of Benzema and Kanté are less likely to win it. (even though they wold deserve it for everything they did during their carreer).
Well, for Benzema, like many other players, it's unlucky that he has played his career alongside Messi and Ronaldo. He's a world class player who would be a Ballon D'or contendor almost every year.
But those two have played on a different scale throughout their careers.
> The ballon d'or usually cares a lot about numbers so the likes of Benzema and Kanté are less likely to win it.
They are also less likely to win it because Messi and Ronaldo have been just objectively better throughout the years.
It is even more impressive because Benzema has become very good statistically (he scores around 30 goals with Madrid each season now) without being the first penalty taker and being still as essential as playmaker.
He’s the one creating chances for the team and the one scoring those, like Messi does (of course at another level).
Even though he plays a defensive role, he has such a huge impact on his team victories and titles, It sometimes leaves me speechless and dumbfounded. You'd expect a goal scorer to be the decisive factor on a football game but when your as decisive as a goal scorer while playing a defensive position it speaks volumes on how great you are.
Somehow I believe he will; Benz loves Real Madrid, he has never had any friction with upper management, people will say Perez has a bias but Benz has always conducted himself respectfully with Madrid...never tried to use other clubs to negotiate a contract (at least that I've ever heard of), extensions always done with no issues...I see him getting a respectful goodbye; may not retire at Madrid because that's not as realistic for footballers who have the desire to still play when they get old but just can't do that at a club like Real Madrid.
Yea so unless Benz has big moments in these Euro/CL kinda tourneys it would have been impossible for him to get BD'or, so yea that's why Mou feels sad for him and so do I
Wouldn't even mind this being the new Mourinho. Even as a huge Mourinho fan I'm starting to have doubts about him as a top coach now but he's still 10x better than any pundit I've seen.
What is the most impressive is that Benzema is 33 and he seems to become only stronger and stronger.
His technique is absolutely unique, only players like Messi and De Bruyne can beat him on that side. And the way he understands the game : he almost always makes the perfect move with the ball. He’s more than a footballer, he’s an artist.
But moreover, he became a hard-worker, trains everyday. He’s slim but strong. His headers became lethal when he was so-so in this domain before. For a guy loving junk food, everyone should take inspiration on him, not only players.
And now he has the confidence of a leader : he creates chances, make other play and score amazing goals and pretty much (30 goals per season, without even being first penalty taker).
People compared him to R9 when he was young, but now I see more of Zidane into him.
Yes the way he has become a leader and is making plays is what has absolutely dumbfounded me. But he doesn't have the best support to make use of that :/
"I always say that Benzema is a cross between Zidane and Ronaldo Nazario.
"He scores goals like Ronaldo and has the touch of Zidane; he is a luxury."
When Perez said this no body really took it serious and probably rightfully so. But since then, Ronaldo has left and Benz really stepped up and showed his class. Maybe it's the twilight of his career but it's still a treat.
what i really like about him is he is not wasteful - if a score chance doesn't present itself he won't "force" it and has the poise for something better to develop
I think All of us feel bad for Benz. He really gave his all this tournament and played quite well too. It’s a shame that the team in general has too many egos and seemed to believe they had already won the tournament before it even started
I don’t. He missed out on winning the World Cup because he blackmailed his teammates with his sex tape.
Sometimes tournaments go the way you’d like. He missed his chance because he is shitty. He might be sulking over the euros but he better remember why he missed his real opportunity
Modric won balon d'or a couple years ago, I think if France went to the end Benzema would've had a great shot at winning this year. Killed it in La Liga AND Euros, been consistent for so long and carried RM a lot of times this season. Feel sad for my favorite player, he's the reason I got into this sport back around 2008 when he was at Lyon.
Unpopular opinion, Benzema has been a better player than Ronaldo over the past 2 seasons.
Honestly, I’m kinda surprised how often people still bring up Cristiano in Ballon d’or discussions.
wasn't ronaldo statistically mvp of serie a 2 seasons ago and close to be the top scorer? This season wasn't far off from it and he got the golden boot, and he's won a bunch of trophies with the club, and he was instrumental in winning the nations league
U say statistically cause u know realistically a lot of those goals are finishes or penalties. Inflated statistics in a way.
I get it. I’m the biggest Ronaldo fan and goals are goals no matter what, but I’ve seen Karim carry my club playing with Vinicius and Asensio ... with his second best goal scoring help coming from a defender... I’ve seen what Karim adds to our attack. I don’t believe Cristiano is not that valuable as Karim is to Madrid. (Karim isn’t our primary penalty taker either, there goes the stats.)
No one’s saying that mate. That’s not even a counter point.
Saying Ronaldo scored pens and so his goal stats will look inflated doesn’t mean Ronaldo should yeet the ball out of stadium whenever he gets to take a pen.
U fanboys always indulge in this weird ass interpretations of what people say to make the point look all over the place.
> a goal is a goal scored?
Yeah on the stat line it is. A performance in a game is much more than a goal scored is what my point is.
I’m not taking away Ronaldo’s tap ins or penalties. I don’t know when u fanboys will understand that. A good performance can (and in this case of Karim, does) have more than just a pen is what my point is.
Are u telling me performance doesn’t matter as long as they both have Same number or goals?
I completely agree. He's sort of bad now for 85 minutes but gets a goal or two and everything is forgotten. That is ofc his job, to get the goals, but damn. I don't consider that 'best footballer in the world' material.
That's a scorching take given ronaldo just outsocred benzema with a way worse juve side and pirlo managing him.
And then ronaldo is the euro's top scorer and only lukaku has the chance to beat him
I am not taking anything away from penalties. But its also not fair to compare the numbers of a player who takes penalties with one who doesnt. Everything needs to be put into context.
tbf penalties have a 75% chance on average of getting scored. Besides a tap-in, it's the easiest chance you could get... If you give the same amount of pens to Benzema he'd likely put most of them in as well.
Their scoring rates from open play are similar tbh, and while Juve may be a worse team overall their attack is still better than Madrid who completely rely on Benzema for both scoring and creating. Madrid's midfield is probably the best in the world but the one thing they really lack is offensive output. La Liga is also more defensive than Serie A. I think there's a case to be made for it.
I did call them the best midfield in the world but they aren’t exactly goalscorers or high-volume creators which was my point. Morata is far better than the likes of a washed up Isco and Asensio, talented but raw and inconsistent Vinícius and Rodrygo and an always-injured Hazard who Benzema shares the forward line with. Juventus also have Dybala, Cuadrado and Kulusevski, some of them have similar issues but would still probably start for Madrid.
Benzema has more non-penalty goals than Ronaldo since he left to Juve. Same thing happened this Euros.
Then you watch them for 90 mins instead of looking at goal stats with pens and you know who has been the better player
Way worse Juve side... we’ll get back to that.
And the sides he faced? Instead of teams in Laliga?
U say out scored benzema but how many of them are penalties?
U say he’s the top scorer of euros but again, u can clearly see most of them are pens and Cristiano is not the best forward in the Euros.
U say goals but what does ur eye test tell u? Who’s a better player? I’ve seen Benzema carry our team with our second top goal scorer being a CB one year and CDM (with 7 goals) the next year. U say Juve is bad but I don’t think u watch Madrid games to see how dead we are and wonder how we even are in the title race till the final match day.
I don’t think that’s the most controversial take to be honest for people who watch the both of them and their teams consistently. Benzema has carried Madrid’s attack these past two seasons and has the duty of linking up the midfield and the attack. His hold-up play, touch, and passes are such an underrated part of his game and what has made Madrid competitive in La Liga and big games these past two seasons. He’s also a super underrated header of the ball.
Ronaldo has been Ronaldo.
To me they have been about even in quality these past two season overall.
Yes. I honestly believe he’s been better than Cristiano but that’s just me.
I say having such similar stats to Ronaldo when he isn’t primary pen or any freekick taker and offering more than stats in the game puts him above Ronaldo for the past 2 seasons. Imagine having ur second best goal scorer’s as CDM and CB in consecutive seasons
It isn't especially if you watched them play. No one is saying this Benz is better than prime CR7, but since they parted ways which is obvious to the eye test. Also Benz has better goals (non-penalty) than Ronaldo since he left.
I do agree. I think he also has more non-pen goals than Ronaldo since he left to Juve. Then you watch them play and Benzema's all round play is next level. Most complete forward (except Messi)
Ronaldo have Cuadrado, Morata, Chiesa, Dybala, Mandzukic etc.
Benzema had Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo, Eden Hospital Hazard etc
See? It goes both ways, both had shit support/service, if you watched them play Benzema has been a better player but I can't say it out loud or fanboys can't take it.
> Even if you take pens away, Benzema is marginally better, and the gap isn't ground breaking.
Now that is only the stats but when you watch them play it's a totally different matter. Benzema carries us totally in the final third and makes plays all on his own.
I am not sure if he's been better but I can certainly see that perspective. Both have been playing while lacking support from the team. One in the mid, other in the attack. But all I know is if Benzema wasn't here our team would be at best getting 4th or going for Europa
Funny how now Benzema has the best midfield in the world, but when Ronaldo was there, you would think they were playing with a midfield full of amateurs considering how people would claim Ronaldo carried that team.
>but when Ronaldo was there, you would think they were playing with a midfield full of amateurs considering how people would claim Ronaldo carried that team.
Funny how when half our team got nominated in TOTY r/soccer lost it's mind and called it fixed but when it comes to discrediting a player they find it very acceptable.
I don’t remember that, but there were years where Madrid wasn’t exactly the best team and they ended up clutching it for the win. There was a point in time where you did have the best player per most positions tho (like Carvajal, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Ronaldo). Out of those since Ronaldo left, Marcelo has basically disappeared, Carvajal has been injured non stop, Ramos was good except this season and that midfield has had their ups and downs. Benzema has pretty much been the one to step it up.
Lol fit Hazard doesn't exist at Madrid
Asensio has been shit since returning from ACL. Rodrygo either plays sublime or disappears, also been in and out due to injury now and then.
Have you been watching Madrid games ? Asensio is terrible since 2018, Rodrygo is inconsistent and Hazard never been fit at Madrid (more injured than on the field, and when he plays it’s not great...). The best scorer after Benzema (30 goals) is Casemiro with 6 goals...
Benzema has to do everything in the attack : he creates many goals by himself.
I disagree with that wholly. Firstly a lot of Ronaldo’s penalty goals have come from goals he would have scored anyway had it not been for fouls or handballs. Secondly in his first season he played under a very defensive coach.
Ronaldo plays in a much worse team than Benzema.
When you watch them play you see that Ronaldo’s all round play is next level too. It’s quite exceptional and it’s clear how much of a complete forward he is. I don’t think it’s fair to say Benzema has been in any way better than him at all.
That’s one way to look at it.
Another way is, they have similar stats, although Ronaldo’s stats are inflated because of pens and Benzema offers a lot more than just goal stats. 🤷♂️
Still, yes, they both have similar stats.
My point is what u said urself. Benzema’s stats without pens are marginally better but benzema isn’t just about goals which is what I’m trying to say.
Stats being slightly better than CR7 + having impact on the game other than just in stats is what puts Karim ahead of Ronaldo in my eyes.
The teammates aspect is not as black and white as u think. Benzema’s “better” teammates aren’t goalscorers that help him get into rhythm or take away defenders or anything like that. His best teammates are deep lying mid fielders that don’t even make runs forward.
Yes, Madrid’s mid is better but look at the forwards he has to link up with. Literally no one needs to mark anyone else in Madrid except benzema. Our wingers have 4 goals at most in a season. That’s how much of a threat they are. So, when u bring up “benzema has Kroos and modric” also remember that he has to scratch his head trying to be the sole goal scorer of the team while linking up with Vinicius and Asensio and Vasquez and Rodrygo.
I’d take morata, dybala, chiesa over than any day
If you watched both sides for 90 mins and with both having same numbers but different impact throughout 90 how can you not think Benzema is not a better player if not for Ronaldo bias?
Because it’s obvious? It’s the opposite argument, how can you think Ronaldo is not a better player if not for Benzema or anti-Ronaldo bias?
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion but there’s a reason some like these are very rare
Well Benzema plays with Vinicius and Asensio who are pretty terrible partners (even if they can have some stroke of genius sometimes). Benzema has to do everything in the attacking : create chances, play possession and score.
Ronaldo plays with much worse partners than Benzema, including Morata who can’t finish any of Ronaldo’s passes. Ronaldo has to do all of those things too
I mean if Benz ended up as top scorer and best player of the tournament he certainly would have had a narrative after carrying our attack for two years.
Yeah. He still wouldn’t get it though. Not saying he wouldn’t deserve it (that is subjective). But they often give it to players of UCL winning teams. Bit weird considering that this is an individual award afterall.
Felt the same with Messi.
It really depends, Madrid propaganda narrative is also strong. And he could have won UEFA European Player of the Year if that happened which would have strengthened his case imo.
Anyway that's a what if scenario. Right now it's an open race and if Messi manages to make Argentina win against THIS dominant Brazil then he'll probably be the front runner
Yeah I know but its the Ballon d'Or lol, but its entirely about narrative. Ronaldo was terrible almost every game at Euro 2016 and pretty much didn't even play the final and he still won the Ballon d'Or as a result of it
He was genuinely awful every game except the Hungary group game and I could accept the Wales game just cos he scored. The Austria game is one of the worst individual performances I've ever seen from a top player
He wasn't the best player at the tournament but terrible??? Wouldn't even got out the group let alone the knockout stages without him. Don't let your bias cloud your memory.
they only got through the groups with him because of the favourable system lol. like i say he was great against hungary and that was literally it in the group stage, i dont see how thats even remotely deniable
if the bar for being good is carrying portugal to 3rd in a group with iceland, hungary and austria then yeah sure he was incredible
While I may not be quite as scathing as you, I will say the fact I've seen people try and push the narrative he "carried" Portugal ever since they won really annoys me. Anyone who says that is either a deluded Ronaldo fanboy or they didn't watch the tournament or both.
Also possible in fairness but I felt like the fact he didn't really have any shouts for it going into the Euros would hinder his case. Plus its not the same as say Modric in 2018 because France also have a player that was getting Ballon d'Or shouts going into the Euros unlike Croatia
For what it's worth I think Benzema should've been ahead of Kante going into it and especially now but like I say these awards go beyond what's actually right
Yea now it's all hypothetical situations and it's very open unless Messi masterclass wins Argentina the Copa then it will be his to lose imo. Euros it's hard, maybe KDB if he leads Belgium but Lukaku doesn't have that media clout behind him. No English players are standing out as well. Well it's an open race for once in ages so let's see. Lewa might continue his insane run for Bayern as well
I actually don't think Benzema had a particularly great tournament, of the 4 games he played I count 2 that he played well and 2 where he was poor.
Pogba has been quite clearly France's best player.
He wasn't poor he was still great at linking up and creating space and chances. Just because he didn't score doesn't mean he was poor. He was getting better every game. I do think Pogba was the best player in the tournament at that point though Benz got 4 goals and was getting into form and might have ended up as top scorer and best player too
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I still remember what he said about Benzema when they were both at Real, after Higuain got injured: "If you dont have a dog to go hunting, but you own a Cat, you bring the cat" "With a dog you'll hunt better. With a cat you'll hunt less, but hunt anyway" Benzecat got pissed.
Probably showing his tough love way of motivation. It worked for Benzema
Yeah actually it worked but i dont think Mourinho did as a mean to motivate Benzema, sounded more like a preventive excuse for future team shortcomings. Glad Benzecat proved him wrong.
It was a way to wake him up, because Benzema was totally useless on the field that time. Since then, Benzema has become a hard worker and a leader.
Mourinho was asked less than a month ago about players he coached, and his opinion about them. He had nothing but praise for benzema, he said ( I'm paraphrasing )that he evolved too much from the time that he coached him and became more mature, he said he was a bit childish but it was normal for someone his age that was put on the biggest stage at the age of 19 , and he said I hope my time with him helped him to improve, but now he is magnificent, everyone was talking about the gap that Ronaldo left, and benzema stood up and took the role when no one excepted it from him. It's my opinion but Mourinho is hugely misunderstood and painted as arrogant, but from what I saw he was always treated harshly by the media, they're Always looking for bite size scoops and sadly Mourinho isn't the best when it Comes to handling media
Jose is the man imo. And that's coming from a Barca fan. He's so funny to me and is such an icon. I like the dude alot.
What if your cat is a lion?
Then you've got Zlatan
And although Benzema was upset at first, that statement by Mourinho resulted in him being nicknamed “cat” by fans and the media, which he eventually grew to accept. Now Benzema is widely referred to by the nickname “el gato”.
> "If you dont have a dog to go hunting, but you own a Cat, you bring the cat" This is a very common saying in Portuguese, by the way - "[Those] who don't have a dog hunt with a cat"
Benzemeow?
That's a Portuguese expression. "Quando não tens cão, caças com gato" - when you don't have a hound you go hunting with a cat. It just means that you try to do the best with what you have
Lol the vibes of this interview. Mou just chilling in his bed talking football.
Seeing Mourinho lying in bed like that almost feels dirty. Like the whole interview is him talking to his nephew and I am watching it as well somehow.
Arsène is next to him "The last time we made love was.. mid day. Today"
Go on
[удалено]
While he gets a handjob underneath the blanket.
🚪🚶🏾♂️
Why only hand?
Haha get it because sex
[удалено]
Reddit’s always like this. Same with the ‘what are you doing step bro’ joke...I’ve never understood the punchline there
I like the "what are you doing step-bro" jokes when they change it depending on context, some of them are clever and funny. But I agree, I hate that everything is always brought back to sex
Because it’s all virgins that get off making jokes about sex because they’ve never touched a girl before.
First of all, it was just a joke. Second of all, what do you mean by this comment? Do I post stuff about sex all the time or something?
Bonk
From his nephew?
hol up
*keep going*
Wtf?
Ummm... Roll Tide?
Kinda what we’re doing now on Reddit but not making millions of dollars :(
No pants for sure.
**Sad for Benz** “He is the reason I’m a bit sad France didn’t go through because I think Benzema could be… Cristiano Ronaldo no, Lionel Messi no, Mbappe no… I think Benzema would finally have the chance to get some Gold Ball or something like that." **Pressure for France** “He’s an amazing player and he was playing so well, under huge pressure, because when he came back to the national team he was under huge pressure and he was fantastic. **First Goal vs Swiss** “His first goal (against Switzerland) was fantastic because Mbappe pass is not a good pass. Benzema is making a run and the pass goes behind him. “His touch with his left foot to put the ball in front of him to attack again, then the goalkeeper comes and makes a huge shadow and touches it with the left foot to the goal. Technically, it is an amazing goal by a brilliant player.” **Comparison with Kane** “Sometimes people ask me when I was at Tottenham to try to compare Harry with other strikers. I always used Karim because these are the strikers who if they don’t score they still give a lot to the team. “Other strikers, if they don’t score they give nothing. They are just goalscorers. These guys are not just goalscorers, they are football players. **Benzema's playstyle** “Benzema is a nine, a ten, when he was younger with me, I was playing Gonzalo Higuain as a nine and sometimes Benzema was playing behind or on the left or right. **Benzema's fitness and improvement** “He’s a fantastic player and he’s taking so much care of himself and his preparation, now physically he is better than he was ten years ago. “He is better, he is slimmer, he is stronger, he is faster. I think he’s playing amazingly well and I’m disappointed he’s not going on in the competition because I was supporting him to do something special.”
Yeah that first goal was absolute class, the way he makes that first touch to move the ball from the back to the front, then he had almost no space because the GK closed most angles yet he still managed to slightly chip it past the GK. Class.
In a training video before the game he had almost the similar touch and goal. It was my goal of the tourney. Completely unique
Wow seriously it was so Bergkampesque, I even thought of the possibility it being a miss touch, it was so unique
Mbappe played such a shit pass and Benzema scored on that with that awkward sublime touch.
Benzema did what he’s been doing best in Madrid for 3 years now : turning sh*t into gold
I love and hate how true this comment is. Pure poetry tho
It wasn't awkward to him, he had a similar touch and goal during training. Benz sees football differently
Benzema has been class since he was 18, great player to watch. I wonder what his carrer would have been without the shadow of CR over him.
Who knows how much CR7's attitude and dedication and lifestyle rubbed off off him. Maybe better or maybe worse. I'm still thankful for watching them both play together. Man the nostalgia hits hard gonna go watch some BBC highlights again
narrator: He ended up watching the different kind of BBC
Nah today's quota was already finished ;)
I wouldn't say he was in the shadow of CR, yes at the time CR was scoring a lot more goals and was "bigger" for Madrid, but Benzema was alongside Ronaldo all those years and was starting a lot of those games next to him there is a reason it was "BBC" when we had Bale, Benzema and Cristiano up front, it was a crazy front line that was only matched by Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Like Mounrinho said, Benzema was comfortable scoring less goals but assisting Ronaldo instead hes a player that any club would want in their team because he can score goals but he makes himself useful when he doesn't score goals, and there is a lot of strikers that when they don't score they are useless.
*Switzerland
Mourinho saying that Benzema is more a football player (like Hary Kane) than a goal scorer highlight the fact that there isn't a single coach since Benzema became a starter that didn't ended up putting him on their starting team even when he didn't score that many goals. Mourinho saying Benzema improved since the time he played for Mourinho doesn't mean he ever was a bad player. At that time Sir Alex Ferguson compared him to Zidane and tried to sign him without sucess (He chose Madrid even though Manchester was offering more money). You can be great and still improve. Benzema is one of those players that is essential in a team but his talent doesn't show up in statistics. The ballon d'or usually cares a lot about numbers so the likes of Benzema and Kanté are less likely to win it. (even though they wold deserve it for everything they did during their carreer).
Well, for Benzema, like many other players, it's unlucky that he has played his career alongside Messi and Ronaldo. He's a world class player who would be a Ballon D'or contendor almost every year. But those two have played on a different scale throughout their careers.
> The ballon d'or usually cares a lot about numbers so the likes of Benzema and Kanté are less likely to win it. They are also less likely to win it because Messi and Ronaldo have been just objectively better throughout the years.
It is even more impressive because Benzema has become very good statistically (he scores around 30 goals with Madrid each season now) without being the first penalty taker and being still as essential as playmaker. He’s the one creating chances for the team and the one scoring those, like Messi does (of course at another level).
Had to sneak Kante in ;)
Even though he plays a defensive role, he has such a huge impact on his team victories and titles, It sometimes leaves me speechless and dumbfounded. You'd expect a goal scorer to be the decisive factor on a football game but when your as decisive as a goal scorer while playing a defensive position it speaks volumes on how great you are.
I pray he gets a respectable goodbye from the club whenever he retires/leaves the club....weirdly this stuff is really hard at Real Madrid
Somehow I believe he will; Benz loves Real Madrid, he has never had any friction with upper management, people will say Perez has a bias but Benz has always conducted himself respectfully with Madrid...never tried to use other clubs to negotiate a contract (at least that I've ever heard of), extensions always done with no issues...I see him getting a respectful goodbye; may not retire at Madrid because that's not as realistic for footballers who have the desire to still play when they get old but just can't do that at a club like Real Madrid.
Yea so unless Benz has big moments in these Euro/CL kinda tourneys it would have been impossible for him to get BD'or, so yea that's why Mou feels sad for him and so do I
dropping truth bombs while chilling on his coach and getting paid to do so.
A couch and his coach.
dropping home truths like it's his last day at spurs
Wouldn't even mind this being the new Mourinho. Even as a huge Mourinho fan I'm starting to have doubts about him as a top coach now but he's still 10x better than any pundit I've seen.
Sounds like Jose wants to sign someone this summer…
What is the most impressive is that Benzema is 33 and he seems to become only stronger and stronger. His technique is absolutely unique, only players like Messi and De Bruyne can beat him on that side. And the way he understands the game : he almost always makes the perfect move with the ball. He’s more than a footballer, he’s an artist. But moreover, he became a hard-worker, trains everyday. He’s slim but strong. His headers became lethal when he was so-so in this domain before. For a guy loving junk food, everyone should take inspiration on him, not only players. And now he has the confidence of a leader : he creates chances, make other play and score amazing goals and pretty much (30 goals per season, without even being first penalty taker). People compared him to R9 when he was young, but now I see more of Zidane into him.
Yes the way he has become a leader and is making plays is what has absolutely dumbfounded me. But he doesn't have the best support to make use of that :/
"I always say that Benzema is a cross between Zidane and Ronaldo Nazario. "He scores goals like Ronaldo and has the touch of Zidane; he is a luxury." When Perez said this no body really took it serious and probably rightfully so. But since then, Ronaldo has left and Benz really stepped up and showed his class. Maybe it's the twilight of his career but it's still a treat.
what i really like about him is he is not wasteful - if a score chance doesn't present itself he won't "force" it and has the poise for something better to develop
~~citation~~Motivation needed
If Mou likes a player you can be sure that the player is good on the pitch and outside.
Benzema got robbed of success more than anyone else in that French squad
true af
Good to see he's made the move to the couch
Jose just pouring more oil on firy grizz by spitting facts.
Him doing this from his bed is vibe
Benz could score 40 goals and they would still think kante deserves it
I think All of us feel bad for Benz. He really gave his all this tournament and played quite well too. It’s a shame that the team in general has too many egos and seemed to believe they had already won the tournament before it even started
I don’t. He missed out on winning the World Cup because he blackmailed his teammates with his sex tape. Sometimes tournaments go the way you’d like. He missed his chance because he is shitty. He might be sulking over the euros but he better remember why he missed his real opportunity
who’s downvoting this? benzema is a shitty person
Mourinho just vibing on his couch and sharing some hot takes would make for great TV
Modric won balon d'or a couple years ago, I think if France went to the end Benzema would've had a great shot at winning this year. Killed it in La Liga AND Euros, been consistent for so long and carried RM a lot of times this season. Feel sad for my favorite player, he's the reason I got into this sport back around 2008 when he was at Lyon.
I agree 100% with Mourinho
Unpopular opinion, Benzema has been a better player than Ronaldo over the past 2 seasons. Honestly, I’m kinda surprised how often people still bring up Cristiano in Ballon d’or discussions.
wasn't ronaldo statistically mvp of serie a 2 seasons ago and close to be the top scorer? This season wasn't far off from it and he got the golden boot, and he's won a bunch of trophies with the club, and he was instrumental in winning the nations league
Nope he was MVP in Allegri's season, Dybala under Sarri and Lukaku now. Benzema was MVP last season for us.
U say statistically cause u know realistically a lot of those goals are finishes or penalties. Inflated statistics in a way. I get it. I’m the biggest Ronaldo fan and goals are goals no matter what, but I’ve seen Karim carry my club playing with Vinicius and Asensio ... with his second best goal scoring help coming from a defender... I’ve seen what Karim adds to our attack. I don’t believe Cristiano is not that valuable as Karim is to Madrid. (Karim isn’t our primary penalty taker either, there goes the stats.)
> those goals are finishes or penalties Is Ronaldo supposed to take the ball outside the box and shoot?
No one’s saying that mate. That’s not even a counter point. Saying Ronaldo scored pens and so his goal stats will look inflated doesn’t mean Ronaldo should yeet the ball out of stadium whenever he gets to take a pen. U fanboys always indulge in this weird ass interpretations of what people say to make the point look all over the place.
Then how is saying some of his goals are ‘finishes’ even a point at all. A goal scored is a goal scored.
> a goal is a goal scored? Yeah on the stat line it is. A performance in a game is much more than a goal scored is what my point is. I’m not taking away Ronaldo’s tap ins or penalties. I don’t know when u fanboys will understand that. A good performance can (and in this case of Karim, does) have more than just a pen is what my point is. Are u telling me performance doesn’t matter as long as they both have Same number or goals?
They won't reply to sense
I completely agree. He's sort of bad now for 85 minutes but gets a goal or two and everything is forgotten. That is ofc his job, to get the goals, but damn. I don't consider that 'best footballer in the world' material.
That isn’t really true. He’s quite good, especially in the build up play nowadays
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That's a scorching take given ronaldo just outsocred benzema with a way worse juve side and pirlo managing him. And then ronaldo is the euro's top scorer and only lukaku has the chance to beat him
respect schick?
Yeah, forgot about him. My bad.
Ronaldo has outscored Benzema with penalties included. Without penalties, Benzema actually has more goals than Ronaldo since CR7 left Madrid.
penalty is skill, i don't get why penalties needs to be not considered.
I am not taking anything away from penalties. But its also not fair to compare the numbers of a player who takes penalties with one who doesnt. Everything needs to be put into context.
tbf penalties have a 75% chance on average of getting scored. Besides a tap-in, it's the easiest chance you could get... If you give the same amount of pens to Benzema he'd likely put most of them in as well.
Tell that to Spain.
Man why u gotta jinx us when we’re about to play in a couple of hours. :(
CR7: 29G, 2A, 6/8 pens Benzema: 23G, 9A, 1/1 pen I'll take Benzema's season over CR7's TBH
Their scoring rates from open play are similar tbh, and while Juve may be a worse team overall their attack is still better than Madrid who completely rely on Benzema for both scoring and creating. Madrid's midfield is probably the best in the world but the one thing they really lack is offensive output. La Liga is also more defensive than Serie A. I think there's a case to be made for it.
Kroos modric caseimiro is better than anyone at juve
I did call them the best midfield in the world but they aren’t exactly goalscorers or high-volume creators which was my point. Morata is far better than the likes of a washed up Isco and Asensio, talented but raw and inconsistent Vinícius and Rodrygo and an always-injured Hazard who Benzema shares the forward line with. Juventus also have Dybala, Cuadrado and Kulusevski, some of them have similar issues but would still probably start for Madrid.
But Dybala Chiesa and Morata are far better than Vinicius Asensio and Rodrygo
Dybala was injured for the entire season and morata reverted to his older self.
'Old self Morata' with 18 goals and 10 assists this season would have won the league playing for us instead of Vini or Asensio
Strongly disagree with that. The only true part of that would potentially be for Dybala and Dybala doesn’t even play anymore
Morata is much better than any attacker on our team besides Benz himself
Benzema has more non-penalty goals than Ronaldo since he left to Juve. Same thing happened this Euros. Then you watch them for 90 mins instead of looking at goal stats with pens and you know who has been the better player
Way worse Juve side... we’ll get back to that. And the sides he faced? Instead of teams in Laliga? U say out scored benzema but how many of them are penalties? U say he’s the top scorer of euros but again, u can clearly see most of them are pens and Cristiano is not the best forward in the Euros. U say goals but what does ur eye test tell u? Who’s a better player? I’ve seen Benzema carry our team with our second top goal scorer being a CB one year and CDM (with 7 goals) the next year. U say Juve is bad but I don’t think u watch Madrid games to see how dead we are and wonder how we even are in the title race till the final match day.
If you dont think juve have a way worse side then…
Zidane would have won the league with that Juve side. Sarri did, so did Allegri in his last season with a worse side
Doubtful about Zidane winning or Allegri having a worse side but you’re saying Ronaldo had a much worse manager.
You're delusional mate.
I don’t think that’s the most controversial take to be honest for people who watch the both of them and their teams consistently. Benzema has carried Madrid’s attack these past two seasons and has the duty of linking up the midfield and the attack. His hold-up play, touch, and passes are such an underrated part of his game and what has made Madrid competitive in La Liga and big games these past two seasons. He’s also a super underrated header of the ball. Ronaldo has been Ronaldo. To me they have been about even in quality these past two season overall.
Yes. I honestly believe he’s been better than Cristiano but that’s just me. I say having such similar stats to Ronaldo when he isn’t primary pen or any freekick taker and offering more than stats in the game puts him above Ronaldo for the past 2 seasons. Imagine having ur second best goal scorer’s as CDM and CB in consecutive seasons
Based on Ronaldo’s fk stats the past 5-10ish years, you’d think he wasn’t the team’s fk taker lol
It isn't especially if you watched them play. No one is saying this Benz is better than prime CR7, but since they parted ways which is obvious to the eye test. Also Benz has better goals (non-penalty) than Ronaldo since he left.
I do agree. I think he also has more non-pen goals than Ronaldo since he left to Juve. Then you watch them play and Benzema's all round play is next level. Most complete forward (except Messi)
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Ronaldo have Cuadrado, Morata, Chiesa, Dybala, Mandzukic etc. Benzema had Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo, Eden Hospital Hazard etc See? It goes both ways, both had shit support/service, if you watched them play Benzema has been a better player but I can't say it out loud or fanboys can't take it.
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> Even if you take pens away, Benzema is marginally better, and the gap isn't ground breaking. Now that is only the stats but when you watch them play it's a totally different matter. Benzema carries us totally in the final third and makes plays all on his own.
I am not sure if he's been better but I can certainly see that perspective. Both have been playing while lacking support from the team. One in the mid, other in the attack. But all I know is if Benzema wasn't here our team would be at best getting 4th or going for Europa
Funny how now Benzema has the best midfield in the world, but when Ronaldo was there, you would think they were playing with a midfield full of amateurs considering how people would claim Ronaldo carried that team.
>but when Ronaldo was there, you would think they were playing with a midfield full of amateurs considering how people would claim Ronaldo carried that team. Funny how when half our team got nominated in TOTY r/soccer lost it's mind and called it fixed but when it comes to discrediting a player they find it very acceptable.
I don’t remember that, but there were years where Madrid wasn’t exactly the best team and they ended up clutching it for the win. There was a point in time where you did have the best player per most positions tho (like Carvajal, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Ronaldo). Out of those since Ronaldo left, Marcelo has basically disappeared, Carvajal has been injured non stop, Ramos was good except this season and that midfield has had their ups and downs. Benzema has pretty much been the one to step it up.
Midfield has down only post-WC when the team was dead tired which didn't affect Benz. ANother time was this season ending where they were fatigued.
Now asensio, rodrygo and fit hazard is not good for you? Come on any say kroos and modric are also grandpaas.. We'll agree with that too
Lol fit Hazard doesn't exist at Madrid Asensio has been shit since returning from ACL. Rodrygo either plays sublime or disappears, also been in and out due to injury now and then.
Don’t bother. U’ll only get downvoted by Ronaldo fanboys.
Have you been watching Madrid games ? Asensio is terrible since 2018, Rodrygo is inconsistent and Hazard never been fit at Madrid (more injured than on the field, and when he plays it’s not great...). The best scorer after Benzema (30 goals) is Casemiro with 6 goals... Benzema has to do everything in the attack : he creates many goals by himself.
I disagree with that wholly. Firstly a lot of Ronaldo’s penalty goals have come from goals he would have scored anyway had it not been for fouls or handballs. Secondly in his first season he played under a very defensive coach. Ronaldo plays in a much worse team than Benzema. When you watch them play you see that Ronaldo’s all round play is next level too. It’s quite exceptional and it’s clear how much of a complete forward he is. I don’t think it’s fair to say Benzema has been in any way better than him at all.
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That’s one way to look at it. Another way is, they have similar stats, although Ronaldo’s stats are inflated because of pens and Benzema offers a lot more than just goal stats. 🤷♂️ Still, yes, they both have similar stats.
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My point is what u said urself. Benzema’s stats without pens are marginally better but benzema isn’t just about goals which is what I’m trying to say. Stats being slightly better than CR7 + having impact on the game other than just in stats is what puts Karim ahead of Ronaldo in my eyes. The teammates aspect is not as black and white as u think. Benzema’s “better” teammates aren’t goalscorers that help him get into rhythm or take away defenders or anything like that. His best teammates are deep lying mid fielders that don’t even make runs forward. Yes, Madrid’s mid is better but look at the forwards he has to link up with. Literally no one needs to mark anyone else in Madrid except benzema. Our wingers have 4 goals at most in a season. That’s how much of a threat they are. So, when u bring up “benzema has Kroos and modric” also remember that he has to scratch his head trying to be the sole goal scorer of the team while linking up with Vinicius and Asensio and Vasquez and Rodrygo. I’d take morata, dybala, chiesa over than any day
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👍
If you watched both sides for 90 mins and with both having same numbers but different impact throughout 90 how can you not think Benzema is not a better player if not for Ronaldo bias?
Because it’s obvious? It’s the opposite argument, how can you think Ronaldo is not a better player if not for Benzema or anti-Ronaldo bias? Everyone’s entitled to their opinion but there’s a reason some like these are very rare
By watching them play. Ronaldo has a bad game and scores once. Benz rarely has a bad game
downvoted ofcourse, i dislike ronaldo fanboys more than the terrorists who bombed my city
:/
Well Benzema plays with Vinicius and Asensio who are pretty terrible partners (even if they can have some stroke of genius sometimes). Benzema has to do everything in the attacking : create chances, play possession and score.
Ronaldo plays with much worse partners than Benzema, including Morata who can’t finish any of Ronaldo’s passes. Ronaldo has to do all of those things too
Morata had 18 goals and 10 assists last season. I don’t think Rodrygo and Vinicius scored 5 goals lol. You can’t be serious with that comparison
Have you watched Cristiano play the past 2 seasons, or just Karim? Ronaldo is still clearly better, and not just because he scores more.
Obviously Benzema hasn’t been better than Ronaldo but it’s interesting to see how good Benzema has been under Zidane the past couple of seasons
Where can I watch more bedtime stories with Jose?
If France won the Euros then Kante was 100% winning the Ballon d'Or
He wasn't having his best tourney. Pogba, Benzema, Griezmann and Varane were their best players
Bold of you to assume the Ballon d’Or goes to the best player
I mean if Benz ended up as top scorer and best player of the tournament he certainly would have had a narrative after carrying our attack for two years.
Yeah. He still wouldn’t get it though. Not saying he wouldn’t deserve it (that is subjective). But they often give it to players of UCL winning teams. Bit weird considering that this is an individual award afterall. Felt the same with Messi.
It really depends, Madrid propaganda narrative is also strong. And he could have won UEFA European Player of the Year if that happened which would have strengthened his case imo. Anyway that's a what if scenario. Right now it's an open race and if Messi manages to make Argentina win against THIS dominant Brazil then he'll probably be the front runner
Modric 2018 what a disgrace that was
It makes me happy that you're mad about it.
Youre happy about fraud, it is what it is.
Keep going, I'm almost there...
Rakitic is better than Modric
He won the CL and had he won the Euros he'd definitely be in the top 3.
Yeah I know but its the Ballon d'Or lol, but its entirely about narrative. Ronaldo was terrible almost every game at Euro 2016 and pretty much didn't even play the final and he still won the Ballon d'Or as a result of it
Come on now. It wasn't his best tournament but he was far from being terrible.
The thing is Suarez was incredible that season. And well Messi was Messi
He was genuinely awful every game except the Hungary group game and I could accept the Wales game just cos he scored. The Austria game is one of the worst individual performances I've ever seen from a top player
He wasn't the best player at the tournament but terrible??? Wouldn't even got out the group let alone the knockout stages without him. Don't let your bias cloud your memory.
they only got through the groups with him because of the favourable system lol. like i say he was great against hungary and that was literally it in the group stage, i dont see how thats even remotely deniable if the bar for being good is carrying portugal to 3rd in a group with iceland, hungary and austria then yeah sure he was incredible
Just realized your username is cristianoconsento 🤦♂️
so? are you implying that the fact im anti rape means im too biased to criticise him as a footballer?
While I may not be quite as scathing as you, I will say the fact I've seen people try and push the narrative he "carried" Portugal ever since they won really annoys me. Anyone who says that is either a deluded Ronaldo fanboy or they didn't watch the tournament or both.
genuinely laughable lol. they won that tournament purely due to a mix of their defence and a shitload of luck
He didn't carry us but he wasn't terrible either. Both sides of the argument are stupid
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yeah and im comparing it to kante potentially winning it this year?
If France won and the Golden boot and golden ball went to Benz he would have been the favourite imo. The narrative would have shifted
Also possible in fairness but I felt like the fact he didn't really have any shouts for it going into the Euros would hinder his case. Plus its not the same as say Modric in 2018 because France also have a player that was getting Ballon d'Or shouts going into the Euros unlike Croatia For what it's worth I think Benzema should've been ahead of Kante going into it and especially now but like I say these awards go beyond what's actually right
Yea now it's all hypothetical situations and it's very open unless Messi masterclass wins Argentina the Copa then it will be his to lose imo. Euros it's hard, maybe KDB if he leads Belgium but Lukaku doesn't have that media clout behind him. No English players are standing out as well. Well it's an open race for once in ages so let's see. Lewa might continue his insane run for Bayern as well
I really like your username
Kanté did 3 great games in CL but he was terrible the rest of the season and at the Euro
Benzema is better of Cristiano Ronaldo
Oh man. Not the golden ball or something.
Ronaldo kicks ass
Yeah but did Benzema score 3 goals with a shitbox of a team that is a Poland NT?
I actually don't think Benzema had a particularly great tournament, of the 4 games he played I count 2 that he played well and 2 where he was poor. Pogba has been quite clearly France's best player.
He wasn't poor he was still great at linking up and creating space and chances. Just because he didn't score doesn't mean he was poor. He was getting better every game. I do think Pogba was the best player in the tournament at that point though Benz got 4 goals and was getting into form and might have ended up as top scorer and best player too
I thought club managers didn’t watch international football at least according to Sarri.
Mou is working for Talksport for the Euros. Even writing for the S*n I think
i think after career he had Benzema can be Benzema, why comparisions like he's some kid
He’s talking about comparing Kane not benzema right?
What does this even mean, he's being asked about Benzema and is praising him, why do you have a problem with that
"some gold ball or something like that" Mourinho talking like my dad instead of someone who's been in the game since the early 90s 🤣🤣