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Benzema has no intention of leaving Madrid

Karim Benzema has been at Real Madrid for five seasons © Getty Images

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Karim Benzema has revealed he feels "at home" at Real Madrid as reports continue to link the striker with a move to Arsenal.

The France international has been at Madrid for five seasons and scored 111 goals in 235 appearances. However, his future has been called into question, with fresh reports suggesting Arsenal will make a £30 million bid for the 26-year-old.

Benzema, though, says he is happy in Spain and has indicated he will not be looking to leave the new Champions League winners. "I feel at home in Madrid. I am really at ease," Benzema told L'Equipe.

"Playing at Real Madrid is a joy and fills me with pride because it is the greatest club in the world and also because I have come through some difficult moments in my five years here."

Benzema also admitted he faced a difficult time when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Madrid, with the Portuguese manager questioning the qualities of the striker in the absence of Gonzalo Higuain.

Mourinho at the time said: "If you can't go hunting with your dog then you have to take your cat."

But Benzema reacted to the criticism by coming back stronger. "When I saw his words I thought, 'What is this?' Then I tried to put things into perspective. Mourinho is a guy that likes to say things, he is really into that," he said.

"The next day at training I didn't say anything. I had one option, to let it go. Don't play me if you think I am a cat. There were a lot of critics and I was upset but I understood that when I get upset I withdraw into myself. I am a footballer, I have to accept critics. That is just the way it is."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd