Karim Benzema would have loved to play alongside Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, but insists the forwards decision to stay at Paris Saint-Germain will not affect their friendship.
Mbappe was widely expected to move to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of his contract in Paris, but he conducted a late U-turn last week and chose to sign a new three-year contract with the Ligue 1 champions.
But Madrid showed they have the firepower to cope without the 2018 World Cup winner as they beat Liverpool 1-0 in Saturday s Champions League final, with Vinicius Junior scoring the only goal of the game.
Benzema played a key role during Madrid s 14th European triumph, scoring 15 Champions League goals this season to fall just two strikes short of Cristiano Ronaldo s single-season record (17 for Madrid in 2013-14).
The striker, who has been tipped to win the Ballon d Or later this year, also became just the second French player to win a European Cup/Champions League final as captain after Didier Deschamps with Marseille in 1993.
Mbappe, meanwhile, scored 39 goals and added 21 assists in all competitions in a fine individual campaign.
Although Benzema admits he would have been delighted to see Mbappe join Los Blancos, he respects the 23-year-old s decision and is looking forward to teaming up with him for France s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
I would have liked him to be able to realise his dream of playing at Real Madrid, together, Benzema told Telefoot.
He chose PSG, you have to respect [his decision]. He is young, he has a lot of responsibilities on him.
It s his choice, he s a PSG player, so we will enjoy playing together in the [national] selection.
Everyone makes their choices. I m not disappointed, I m happy and I hope he does good things. We re good friends, it won t affect our relationship.
France will play four Nations League fixtures next month, including a double-header against Croatia, who they beat in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow.
