MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's French international striker Karim Benzema insisted Friday he is not interested in a move away from the Spanish club next season.
The 23-year-old initially struggled to impress following his 35-million-euro move from Lyon in 2009 before settling in at the club where he has a contract until 2015.
After a difficult start to the season, when he was criticised by coach Jose Mourinho for his lack of ambition, the French striker has managed to impose himself in the absence of the injured Gonzalo Higuain.
And despite being the subject of a much-speculated move to Juventus, the Frenchman, who scored 26 goals in all competitions this year, compared to nine last season, said he was happier than ever in the Spanish capital.
"People talk a lot: that he (Mourinho) hasn't got confidence in me, that he wants to sell me," Benzema told Spanish sports daily Marca.
"But if you look at the number of matches he had me play (48 in total), I don't think that he doesn't count on me. If he didn't want me he wouldn't have me play as much, would he?"
"He asks a lot of me but he has helped me to improve. He's someone who loves winning and so do I. He made me a winner as a footballer and as a person.
"I feel very good at Madrid, in the team, I adore the fans, the people, the stadium… I'm going to stay for many years."
The 23-year-old initially struggled to impress following his 35-million-euro move from Lyon in 2009 before settling in at the club where he has a contract until 2015.
After a difficult start to the season, when he was criticised by coach Jose Mourinho for his lack of ambition, the French striker has managed to impose himself in the absence of the injured Gonzalo Higuain.
And despite being the subject of a much-speculated move to Juventus, the Frenchman, who scored 26 goals in all competitions this year, compared to nine last season, said he was happier than ever in the Spanish capital.
"People talk a lot: that he (Mourinho) hasn't got confidence in me, that he wants to sell me," Benzema told Spanish sports daily Marca.
"But if you look at the number of matches he had me play (48 in total), I don't think that he doesn't count on me. If he didn't want me he wouldn't have me play as much, would he?"
"He asks a lot of me but he has helped me to improve. He's someone who loves winning and so do I. He made me a winner as a footballer and as a person.
"I feel very good at Madrid, in the team, I adore the fans, the people, the stadium… I'm going to stay for many years."
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