Former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has addressed one of the most talked-about topics surrounding his career, which is his relationship with long-time teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. With both legen...
Former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has addressed one of the most talked-about topics surrounding his career, which is his relationship with long-time teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
With both legends now in the Saudi Pro League, old debates from their Real Madrid days have resurfaced once again.
Benzema and Ronaldo were key figures during one of the most dominant periods in the history of Real Madrid.
Their success, however, has often been accompanied by speculation about the true nature of their relationship.
While their partnership on the pitch delivered trophies and goals, some have long questioned whether there was tension behind the scenes.
That discussion gained new momentum recently when the two faced each other in Saudi Arabia.
Cameras focused heavily on their brief on-field greeting, which some fans described as distant or cold.
Social media quickly ran with the narrative, suggesting that the relationship between the two icons may not be as friendly as it once appeared.
Opening up on the matter
Benzema has opened up on his relationship with Ronaldo. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Benzema, however, has now responded directly to those claims. Speaking in a recent interview (h/t SPORT), the French striker explained that what fans see during a match does not reflect reality.
He clarified that there was contact between the two well before kickoff. Explaining what actually happened, Benzema said:
“No, please. We talked in the locker room. We hugged, we talked… Then on the field, we can’t or don’t have to do it again. The same thing again? There’s a lot of respect, we’re fine.”
The former Real Madrid captain went further, making it clear that neither he nor Ronaldo feels the need to perform for cameras or prove anything publicly.
“We don’t need to prove anything. We’re fine. We’ve both learned from each other. It seems as if we have to say things or do things in front of the television.
“That’s not the case. There’s a lot of respect. We find it on the field, and each of us does our own thing,” he added.
During their time together at Real Madrid, Benzema and Ronaldo played 342 matches side by side, winning 240 of them. They also drew 57 times and lost just 45, contributing a combined 73 goals together.
Category: General Sports