Benzema warns Mbappe amid Man United transfer rumours

Joe Williams

Karim Benzema has advised fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe not to get carried away with the hype surrounding his breakthrough season at Monaco.

Mbappe has been in stunning form for the Ligue 1 side this term, contributing 25 goals to help Monaco reach the Champions League semi-finals and making his debut at senior level for France.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are two of the sides believed to be interested in a big-money move for the 18-year-old this summer.

But Benzema, who himself experienced the spotlight at a young age, has warned Mbappe to be careful when deciding his next step.

“He is a phenomenon for his age, but he must install himself for the long term,” Benzema said.

“At the start, people are quick to chuck superlatives at you. I was discussed in the same way when I started with Lyon at the age of 17, when I scored my first Champions League goal or when I became Ligue 1 top scorer at the age of 20 in 2008.

“One must retain this same level when you grow up and when you are in difficult situations. That’s when you can move to the next step, even more so if you are at top club, where if you remain a top player like there have been a lot of who have followed on from shining at a very young age.”