In soccer, narratives are usually defined by iconic players. Recently, famous Portuguese manager and former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho recalled the time when Cristiano Ronaldo bid adieu to Real Madrid, leaving questions looming over the future of the team. However, despite Ronaldo’s absence, Mourinho believed in one player who was capable of taking charge.

As the dust settled after Ronaldo’s exit in 2018, Mourinho claimed that there was one player who perfectly filled the void left by their highest scorer.

Mourinho highlights the impact of former Real Madrid star after the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo

Jose Mourinho was the mastermind behind Real Madrid’s tactics and strategies from 2010 to 2013. The Portuguese coach recently spoke about former Real Madrid star and Frenchman Karim Benzema, his evolution, and the instrumental role he played in revitalizing the squad after Ronaldo’s exit. Although Benzema clinched the Ballon d’Or title during his time at Real Madrid, Mourinho’s admiration for Benzema goes beyond mere accolades.

Mourinho stated, “There was no problem in Real Madrid after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo because Benzema was present. Benzema is a great player. He is stronger now than he was 10 years ago. He is fit, fast, generous, in short, a special player.” The AS Roma coach acknowledged the Frenchman’s prowess and highlighted his skills on the pitch, which helped Los Blancos come out of adversity.

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Benzema’s statistics speak volumes about his influence. In the 2018-19 season, he netted an impressive 30 goals across all competitions, steering Real Madrid through a rollercoaster season. Mourinho’s praise is rooted in the results Benzema delivered, keeping the club in contention for coveted trophies.

Mourinho praises Benzema’s development

Jose Mourinho was positively one of the major guiding forces for Karim Benzema. During Mourinho’s tenure at Real Madrid, he molded Karim Benzema into the player he is today. The Portuguese manager acknowledged being tough on Benzema, pushing his boundaries to extract the best.

“When I was his coach, he was a very talented player, searching for his identity as a player of the highest level. I wanted him to grow as fast as possible and I was hard on him. I don’t know if I influenced his development, only he knows, but his very strong character allowed him to progress. But, I am very happy for him. He is a phenomenal footballer at the peak of his potential, physically, mentally, and tactically,” Mourinho admitted.

As rumors swirl about Mourinho’s potential move to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, the timing of his praise for Benzema intrigues fans. Could this admiration hint at a potential reunion between the coach and the striker? Only time will tell. What do you think about Mourinho’s prospect of joining Al-Ittihad? Let us know in the comments section below.

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