Karim Benzema has publicly defended Vinícius Júnior and asked fans to remember what the winger has already given Real Madrid. He made the comments in a recent interview and has been in the headlines after SoftFootball covered his possible Madrid return.
Benzema said the pressure on Vinicius is very heavy and often unfair in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. He reminded fans that the winger has carried big responsibilities from a young age. He added that Vinicius can still improve, but the criticism he faces often ignores everything he has already delivered. SoftFootball recently highlighted Benzema’s strong form with Al Ittihad in the King’s Cup.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Karim Benzema: Don’t forget what Vini Jr did for Real Madrid, it’d be not fair at all. He’s a very good kid, with a big heart, who wants to learn, he’s phenomenal. People put a lot of pressure on him. He can do more, but you can’t say he’s bad now, told @diarioas.
Benzema also addressed the attention given to Vinicius when he reacts negatively after being substituted. He said the frustration comes from his desire to keep playing and contribute. According to Benzema, the gestures are not a sign of disrespect but a reflection of passion. He admitted that Vinicius should handle those moments better but insisted they come from a place of wanting to help the team rather than from ego.
When speaking about Ballon d’Or possibilities, Benzema said he believes Vinicius can win the award in the future. He added that the key lies in focusing purely on football and blocking out distractions. He pointed out that Real Madrid provides the perfect environment for that kind of growth. His support for Vinicius has been consistent, including when the Brazilian narrowly missed out on the award in 2024.
Benzema then turned to his own future and did not hide the possibility of returning to Real Madrid. He said it may happen if Florentino Pérez remains at the club and confirmed that he still feels deeply connected to Madrid. He follows every match and praised the current squad under Xabi Alonso for its quality and potential. His words made clear that, despite being at Al Ittihad, the bond with Real Madrid has never faded.
The former captain’s defence of Vinicius shows both his loyalty to the club’s next generation and his continued presence in Madrid’s story.
