Madrid (AFP)
Karim Benzema is "a fantastic footballer," Carlo Ancelotti said at a press conference on Saturday the day after the French striker's contract was extended until 2023, before Real Madrid's match at Levante on Sunday (10 p.m.) for the 2nd La Liga matchday,
"Karim is a fundamental part of this team. I do not discover it now. But I find that he has more personality, he is more mature. He is a complete player, a fantastic footballer. It is a pleasure to to train him, to see him play. He has just extended and I am very happy for him, we see that he is very keen to continue at Real Madrid ", summarized the Real coach on Saturday at a press conference in pre-game.
"The mental aspect is very important in football today. This ability to have enough personality to show that you have your place in a squad like Real Madrid. It doesn't always happen, there is players who do not have it. 20 years ago, in my time, when you were good technically, you played. Today, if you are not strong mentally, you will not be able to show all your qualities " , judged the Italian technician.
Author of two goals on the first day against Alavés (4-1), Benzema extended his contract with the Merengue club on Friday for an additional season, until June 30, 2023.
His association with Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Kylian Mbappé has made the Spanish press salivate since the start of the week, but Ancelotti has remained cautious on the subject.
"The club and I have the same vision for the future. (...) The players are motivated, focused on their work. Individually, I do not know, but collectively, we do not talk about the transfer window, we only think of to prepare well for the matches ", assured the coach merengue.
"This team, such as it is, can play on all fronts. We have very big stars, this team is filled with stars. But all alone, the stars remain stars. If they work together, they earn titles ", summarized Ancelotti, with his sense of the formula.
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