Karim Benzema told his Real Madrid team-mates “not to play” with Vinicius at half-time

Real Madrid have made a poor start to their Champions League group and there was apparent unrest in the camp at half-time against Borussia Monchengladbach when Karim Benzema was caught telling his team-mates not to pass to Vinicius Jnr.

The video has emerged from a camera placed in the tunnel of the Borussia-Park stadium, where Real Madrid were 1-0 down at half-time.

Monchengladbach went into a 2-0 lead before late goals from Benzema and Casemiro rescued a point for Zinedine Zidane’s side. However, it was what went on in the tunnel at half-time that has become the main talking point.

 

“Don’t Play with Him”

On the video, Benzema can be seen talking to his team-mate Ferland Mendy and he says “Don’t play with him, on my Mother’s life, he is playing against us”. The sensational video comes from half-time of last night’s game and just a few days after Sergio Ramos had a bust up with Isco.

Marcus Thuram’s strike has meant Real Madrid went in at half-time 1-0 down and Benzema was clearly not happy with the young winger. Vinicius Jnr, 20, has been touted as one of the rising stars of the world game. It has been reported by Marca that although no names are mentioned in the conversation, it is Vinicius who Benzema is talking about and Opta have now revealed that Benzema did not make a pass to Vinicius in the second half of the game in Germany.

The report goes on tosay that Mendy only passed the ball to Vinicius, who both play on the left, three times during the second half following the conversation.

Benzema wouldn’t have known he was being filmed and despite putting his hand over his mouth, he can still be heard speaking in French to left-back Mendy.

Karim Benzema tells Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius Jr at half-time during last night’s game between Gladbach & Real Madrid: “Brother don’t play to him. On my mother’s life. He is playing against us.” pic.twitter.com/zmpciQRgAV

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) October 28, 2020

What’s even more telling about the exchange is that Benzema did not pass the ball to Vinicius once throughout the second half of the match last night, seemingly acting on his word.

0 – Karim Benzema didn't pass a single ball to Vinicius Jr in the second half in the Champions League game vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (three in the first half). Distance. pic.twitter.com/OJ52Qh2Qym

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 28, 2020

It has been a troubled start to Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign, losing to a make-shift Shakhtar Donetsk team last week and then needing a 93rd minute equaliser to rescue a point in Monchengladbach here.

 

Isco critisises Zinedine Zidane

Just a few days prior to this incident, Isco was caught criticising Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane for not giving him more playing time. The attacking midfielder is frustrated at his lack of game time under the current coach and was spotted talking to Marcelo and Luka Modric. The unrest came during the 3-1 El Clasico win against Barcelona.

Spanish TV station Movistar spotted Isco saying:

“If he (Zidane) has to bring me off, he substitutes me in minute 50 or 60 of the game, sometimes at half-time.

‘If he has to put me on, he puts me on in the 80th minute.”

It wasn’t long before club captain Sergio Ramos reacted to the reports, critising Isco’s performances this season so far. The former Malaga player has had limited time to impress under Zidane but Ramos clearly thinks he isn’t deserving of a chance in the Real Madrid starting 11.

Isco has only started two matches this season, one of those was a defeat to Cadiz where he was substituted at half-time.

 

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