The incident took place at half-time of Madrid’s draw with Borussia Monchengladbach
Tunnel footage from last night’s Champions League action has shown Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema telling left-back Ferland Mendy not to pass the ball to their teammate Vinicius Junior.
Posted online by RMC Sport, the footage was recorded at half-time of Madrid’s 2-2 draw with German side Borussia Monchengladbach. At the time, Zinedine Zidane’s side were 1-0 down.
Benzema, who scored Madrid’s first goal in the 87th minute, can be heard speaking in French to Mendy, saying “Play it to me. On my mum’s life, he [Vinicius] is playing against us.”
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
Vinicius could be seen standing next to them, though it’s unclear whether he could hear what was said.
Madrid came back from 2-0 down to Monchengladbach to draw the game, but remain winless in the Champions League group stage after two matches after losing 3-2 away to Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday one.
It has been an up and down start to the season for Zidane’s side, who top LaLiga after defeating Barcelona at Camp Nou last weekend, but continue to be rocked by alleged internal disputes within the squad.
During El Clasico, midfielder Isco – who has fallen out of favour in recent seasons despite the extraordinary start to his Madrid career, could be heard criticising his coach’s use of him.
“If he has to take me off, it’s in the 50th or 60th minute of the game. Sometimes at half time. If he has to bring me on, it’s in the 80th minute,” he said.
