Galactico levels? Kylian Mbappe told he 'doesn't reach Karim Benzema's ankle!' as France questioned for bowing to supposed injury pressure from Real Madrid

The France international finally completed a switch to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024 after several transfer windows dominated by speculation regarding his future. A path was cleared for Mbappe to head for Spain when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe is yet to truly sparkle in Madrid, with seven goals recorded through 11 appearances, and appears to be prioritising club over country after making himself unavailable for Didier Deschamps’ latest France squad. Despite apparently nursing a knock, the 25-year-old started for Real against Villarreal.

Former Les Bleus star Patrice Evra has told Jeremy Rothen’s s’enflamme podcast of Mbappe boasting too much power for his standing in the French game: "If you call him up and he gets injured, you damage your relationship with [Florentino] Perez. Real Madrid aren't PSG. You can't afford to take that kind of risk. But honestly, you're the ones who've built up this legend around Mbappe. With all due respect to him, he's not on Benzema's level. He doesn't even reach Benzema's ankle right now."

Benzema is a Real Madrid legend, having hit 354 goals for the Blancos through 648 appearances – helping them to four La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns, while also becoming a Ballon d’Or winner. Mbappe, who has fared better for France, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious fellow countryman.