Benzema praise for Mourinho

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has thanked coach Jose Mourinho for having a big influence in his personal development.

The France international joined Madrid from Lyon in the summer of 2009 and initially failed to find his best form at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Benzema has become a key player under Mourinho and the striker feels he now tries harder on the pitch because of the Portuguese coach’s guidance.

“I understood that Mourinho didn’t want to change my style of play, but he wanted me to put in more effort. I enter the pitch like a warrior now,” Benzema told RTL.

“He is very close to the players and is always available for anyone. His will to win rubs off on the players. He’s always looking for success and finds it. I don’t know how he does it. He has some sort of trick and everybody listens to him.”

Benzema has scored six goals in nine La Liga appearances this term, thus helping Madrid to the top of the table.