Mbappe Cancels Madrid, Benzema: He Will Play Here One Day

Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema (Instagram @karimbenzema)

JAKARTA - French striker Karim Benzema believes compatriot Kylian Mbappe will sooner or later become a Real Madrid player.

The 22-year-old's contract has 10 months remaining with his current club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Madrid have been eyeing the World Cup winner for a long time and they made two official offers to PSG for Mbappe last week.

PSG sporting director Leonardo accused Real Madrid of being "disrespectful and illegal" in their bid for Mbappe after publicly rejecting the Spanish club's first offer of 160 million euros.

Real Tuesday night (local time) raised their offer to 220 million euros (around Rp3.71 trillion) for Mbappe, but PSG did not even respond to the offer.

PSG are now in danger of losing Mbappe on a free transfer next year when his contract expires, and Real Madrid are sure to be ready to accommodate him when the time comes.

"He is a player who will play for Real Madrid one day," Benzema was quoted as saying by talksport after France's 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday morning.

Mbappe is considered by Madrid as Benzema's long-term successor and the two players are known to have a good relationship.

"We got along very well and I wanted him to be with me today in Madrid," added Benzema.

PSG chairman Leonardo has publicly confirmed that they will not "hold" Mbappe.

"Mbappe wants to leave, this seems clear to me," he told French outlet RMC Sport. "When Real Madrid made an offer, it seemed clear to me. I have given the conditions, which I think are clear to everyone."

"We can't change our plans in the last week of the transfer window. If he's going to leave, we won't hold him back, but it has to be on our terms."

However, PSG's refusal to consider Madrid's second offer has left Mbappe feeling 'betrayed' by PSG, claims Spanish media MARCA.