Benzema and Ronaldo were teammates at Real Madrid for many years, but it appears they are no longer friends, with the French striker being snubbed by his former teammate.
Karim Benzema has confirmed that he has yet to receive a message from former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo congratulating him on his Ballon d’Or victory.
Benzema won the coveted award for the first time last month, becoming the only second player to do so since 2018 (aside from Ronaldo and Lionel Messi). Meanwhile, Ronaldo finished 20th after a hit-or-miss season with Manchester United.
Benzema was asked by French outlet Telefoot if he had kept in touch with ex-Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo since winning the award. “No, not yet,” he said. The pair’s relationship is unclear, though there are rumors that they are no longer the best of friends they were at the Bernabeu.
Before the Portuguese joined Juventus in 2018, the pair were part of Real Madrid’s stunning attack, which helped the club win four Champions Leagues in five seasons. After stepping out of Ronaldo’s shadow, Benzema credited Ronaldo’s departure with helping him win the Ballon d’Or.
“It was an honor to play with him,” France’s striker said. The desire to become a better player entered my mind the day he left. Since he left, I’ve been inspired to do more on the field.”
The pair were close during their time in Spain, and Jose Mourinho claimed last year that Ronaldo was ‘in love’ with Benzema during his time as Real Madrid manager.
“For Cristiano to be in love with another attacking player means he does a lot for Cristiano — and a lot for every attacking player who plays around him,” he explained.
Benzema had a different take, though he did admit they “got along well” and enjoyed playing together. “I score goals, but when there is someone beside me who scores 50 goals a year,” he said in 2017.
“He has more ego than I do, but that’s normal; it doesn’t bother me.” In the end, it’s beneficial to the team.”
During his time in Madrid, Ronaldo lavished praise on his teammate, describing him as “one of the best strikers in the world,” after Benzema was chastised for his lack of goals in 2014.
He has yet to reach out since Benzema reached the pinnacle of his career last month, but as we have seen with Gary Neville in recent weeks, Ronaldo is not particularly close to some of his ex-teammates.