Mbappe must embrace centre-forward role to succeed at Madrid — Benzema

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema believes Kylian Mbappe must adapt to playing as a central striker in the Spanish capital, as he cannot displace Vinicius Junior on the left wing.

Mbappe completed a dream move to Madrid this summer after the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract but has not yet hit top form under Carlo Ancelotti.

The coach has kept Brazil international Vinicius in his preferred position on the wing and has placed Mbappe, who favours playing on the left, in the centre.

“The problem, in my opinion, is that (Mbappe) is not a central striker; even with the national team, every time he plays as a number nine, he doesn’t feel comfortable because it’s not his natural position,” Benzema told the Spanish television show El Chiringuito on Monday night.

“On the left, he’s got someone at his level — Vinicius — so there’s a problem. You can’t play Vinicius as a number nine or on the right; he’s at his best on the left, where he makes an impact in every game.

“Mbappe isn’t a true number nine. People have high expectations of him, and he’s under a lot of pressure. This isn’t Paris Saint-Germain.”

Since joining Madrid from PSG, the 25-year-old has scored eight goals in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid in 2022 before signing with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad last year, advised Mbappe to keep working hard to adapt to his new role.

“(I’d tell him) don’t give up, because I don’t think he’ll push Vinicius out of position — he’s currently the best player in the world,” Benzema continued.

“Mbappe needs to accept that, for now, he’s playing as a number nine and set aside the left flank for a while.”

Benzema, who joined Real Madrid in 2009 and played there for 14 seasons, warned Mbappe that “if you go two or three games without scoring, you’re going to face a lot of scrutiny.”

Real Madrid are set to play AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

AFP