"I told Vini he is the best in the world and that one day he will win the Ballon d'Or"

Karim Benzema knows what it's like to win a Ballon d'Or. The French striker, now with Al Ittihad, did it after leading Real Madrid to another Champions League title. That was Vinicius' hope, although the Brazilian did not achieve it in the end.

That's what the Frenchman and the Brazilian talked about in Jeddah, where Real Madrid are based. Benzema, who is fighting for the double in Saudi Arabia, visited his team-mates and spoke about how he sees his former team-mates and his ex-team-mates.

"I told Vini to listen, not to lower his intensity at all because he is the best in the world and one day he will win the Ballon d'Or," Benzema told Marca.

The French striker was also with Ancelotti, a "great coach" and who he sees "as a friend", but could not meet with Florentino Perez: "He wasn't there. I spoke to him by Whatsapp and told him we had to meet. I will see him before the final."

"Back to Madrid? Yes, of course, why not. At the moment I'm in Jeddah and I'm very well. The time will come to see how life is and I'm sure I'll be close to Madrid," said Benzema.

The Al Ittihad striker denied that he will hang up his boots this summer: "That's the words of I don't know who. That's nonsense. I have no limit to tell me that in two, three or four years I'm going to quit football. I feel good, thank God. My body is fine. I'm preparing well and we'll see how I feel every year."

Finally, he praised his former team: "Real Madrid is always Real Madrid, that is to say, a team to win everything, to triumph. They are always here because they win titles and now they have the chance to win another one. I've spent half my life there and I feel at home."