SOCCER
Benzema fires back at Cristiano Ronaldo with bold flex
Despite the two star soccer players sharing a golden period at Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s choice seems to have hurt Benzema.
![Despite the two star soccer players sharing a golden period at Real Madrid, things are getting heated between the two.](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/CCRBAGWK5VEDLJWOFAC72HGHFI.jpg?auth=d5c3ab5e7d16061b5f1ba3d5b02bd7ebb0e73bb83b34eed46a9f97e51d1b85f4&width=360&height=203&focal=357%2C306)
Cristiano Ronaldo is once again making headlines. This time, though, it’s not for his on-field achievements. Instead, he’s gone viral for an interview he’s done on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel (to be released on Thursday, September 12).
Ronaldo prefers Mbappé
During the chat, Ferdinand asked Cristiano Ronaldo to choose between Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé. Ronaldo didn’t hesitate. Despite sharing a highly successful era at Real Madrid with Benzema, the Madeira native picked French striker Mbappé, who has just joined Real Madrid.
Ronaldo, currently playing for Al Nassr, also left out Toni Kroos and Xabi Alonso from his ideal lineup, opting for Ryan Giggs instead. He chose David Beckham over Ángel Di María as well.
Benzema responds to Ronaldo
Benzema didn’t take long to fire back his response. The Frenchman posted a photo of his Ballon d’Or on Instagram, but with a twist—he placed the award on his kitchen counter, as if it were just another household item.
![](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/WSISG4OS4FD4XPUBHNARVXTUUY.jpg?auth=bfc14f722d767e0a42f9498a3a96a22e614cefc8cd820244a90f964115d69cef&width=360)
It was in 2022, after a stellar season with Real Madrid, that Benzema finally lifted the Ballon d’Or for the first time. Mbappé, on the other hand, has yet to win the prestigious accolade. Nevertheless, Cristiano is betting on the French player, saying, “He could be the Ballon d’Or winner in the coming years.”