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Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema does not want the La Liga champions to re-sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, as per El Nacional.
Ronaldo's future at United became uncertain after he reportedly asked the club to allow him to leave if a suitable offer came in.
This has led to speculation that he may be in line for a stunning return to his former club Real Madrid. Ronaldo, 37, managed a remarkable 446 goals in 436 appearances for Madrid during nine trophy-laden seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He is Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer. Despite this, a return to Real Madrid doesn't seem to be in the offing for the United forward as his former teammate Benzema is reportedly against the proposed move.
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Madrid had already told Ronaldo they did not want to re-sign him weeks ago, but president Florentino Perez has been reconsidering the notion.
A lack of goals scored in the absence of Benzema, who bagged 27 of Madrid's 80 in La Liga last season, is proving problematic.
The likes of Mariano Diaz, Eden Hazard, Borja Mayoral and Luka Jovic have all failed to be convincing replacements in the Frenchman's absence.
Benzema reportedly doesn't want Ronaldo to return as he feels he will lose his importance once again to the legendary striker.
During Ronaldo's time at the Bernabeu, Benzema had to play second-fiddle throughout the spell. The Portuguese star won four UEFA Champions League trophies at Los Blancos after he joined the La Liga giants in 2009 in a then-world record £80 million (€94 million) move.
The legendary forward impressed for United last season upon his groundbreaking return to Old Trafford from Juventus. He scored 24 goals in 38 appearances across competitions for the club.
However, the Red Devils slumped to a sixth-placed finish in the league and endured yet another trophyless season.
It means Ronaldo will not play Champions League football in the upcoming season, something inconceivable for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema's rejection of Cristiano Ronaldo is merited
Since Cristiano Ronaldo departed Real Madrid for Juventus back in 2018, Karim Benzema has become Los Blancos' talisman and has excelled in the role.
It's fully understandable that the French star would have reservations over Ronaldo rejoining, given he has become the center of Madrid's recent success.
Last season was perhaps the greatest campaign of Benzema's career as he dominated La Liga and the Champions League.
He was instrumental in his side's Champions League and La Liga double, scoring an astounding 44 goals in 46 appearances across competitions.
The former Olympique Lyonnais striker's two hat-tricks in the knockout stages of the Champions League against Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are iconic.
The Frenchman clearly doesn't want to risk not having the chance to carve out more memorable moments at Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially stealing the spotlight.
