Karim Benzema Opens Up on Tough Start to Life at Real Madrid and Problems With Jose Mourinho

• Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has explained that life was difficult in Span when he initially made the switch from Olympique Lyon in 2009
• Benzema mentioned that he even had an argument with Jose Mourinho on whether or not he should play Real Madrid’s next game
• The French star asked Mourinho to start him, promising that he will score and win the game for Real Madrid, which they did courtesy of Benzema’s goal

Karim Benzema has opened up on his tough start to life at Real Madrid. Benzema was signed from French side Olympique Lyon in 2009 after winning four Ligue One titles.

He was often overshadowed by the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo but this season, Benzema has taken full responsibility and led Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League trophies.

The 34-year-old is the clear front runner for this year’s Ballon d’Or, but as Marca reports, all wasn’t rosy at the start.

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My first season, the first six months, were very difficult, as I was alone and I didn’t speak the language so everything was complicated. I had arrived in a new world, with a new team, a different type of football. Luckily, I didn’t give up.

Benzema also explains that he had a problem with his then-manager Jose Mourinho.

I wasn’t supposed to play the next game against Real Mallorca and we were arguing. I told him to start me in that game and I will score and he will win the game. The next day I scored and we won 1-0.

The French striker has since risen to be the second-highest goal scorer in Real Madrid’s history. He has scored 219 goals in 415 appearances for the club.

He has mentioned that he will be targeting to win the World Cup with France later this year. He was absent from France’s squad that won the World Cup four years ago. At that time, he had differences with head coach Didier Deschamps, but they have since made up.

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Karim Benzema beats Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane to win top award

Sports Brief earlier reported that Karim Benzema had scooped the Onze d'Or award for the 2021-22 European season following an outstanding campaign with Real Madrid.

The Real Madrid attacker beat Liverpool's Sadio Mané and want-away Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski to the award presented by French magazine Onze Mondial.

Real Madrid confirmed their forward's receipt of the award on their official website, as Benzema smiled with his accolade.