Benzema calls Mbappe to join him at Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has opened up on his relationship with his international colleague Kylian Mbappe amid links about Real Madrid’s interest in the Paris Saint-Germain superstar.

Benzema calls Mbappe to join him at Real Madrid

Benzema returned to the French national team following a six-year hiatus as Didier Deschamps decided to reintegrate the Real Madrid stalwart into his squad. The 33-year-old striker last featured for his country in a 4-0 thumping of Armenia in an international friendly in August 2015 before making Deschamps’ starting XI in a 3-0 win over Wales in a warm-up fixture in early June.

Benzema’s return to the fold has seen him and Mbappe hit it off almost immediately, with the duo creating a bond both on and off the pitch. The PSG forward has recently waxed lyrical about his relationship with his senior teammate, with the pair expected to lead the line for the reigning World Cup titleholders this summer.

Putting aside the national team’s aspirations, Benzema and Mbappe might also share the field in Madrid as Los Blancos see the 22-year-old as Cristiano Ronaldo’s heir at the Santiago Bernabeu. Florentino Perez is a long-term admirer of the ex-Monaco starlet and is ready to go for broke to take him away from Ligue 1.

Benzema’s friendship with the lightning-fast forward could be the key to persuade Mbappe to switch to La Liga in the coming months.

Quizzed about several topics related to his club and country, the former Lyon star admitted the French youngster is more than welcome to join him at Real Madrid.

“Kylian is a young player with immense quality and a good lad. He would obviously be welcome at Real Madrid,” he told Marca.

“But which club would hesitate to sign him? For now, he has a contract with PSG, and we’ll see what he decides. Today, winning the Euro is our top priority.

“I feel like the happiest man in the world right now. What makes me happy is my family and playing football. I’ve always been happy playing at Real Madrid, and now I’m back with France to play the Euros.

“I can only be proud, happy, and eager to start the tournament.”