Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema admits he had a tough start under former coach Jose Mourinho.

Following a successful season, Benzema has taken stock and looked back over his career so far.

"I play by instinct, I'm an instinctive player and whatever comes into my head I do it on the pitch," Benzema told Onze Mondial in an interview, when asked about his approach on the football pitch.

"I never say to myself 'I'm going to play against this defender, I have to do this or that'."

Benzema also elaborated on his early days at Real Madrid and the difficulties he faced at the beginning.

"My first season, the first six months, were very difficult, as I was alone and I didn't speak the language so everything was complicated," Benzema explained.

"I had arrived in a new world, with a new team, a different type of football. Luckily I didn't give up.

"I remember I had a little problem with Jose Mourinho at one point.

"We met at the hotel and we had a conversation the day before a match against Real Mallorca.

"I wasn't supposed to play the game and, as we were arguing, I told him 'Tomorrow you start me and I'll score and I'll make you win the game'. The next day I scored and we won 1-0."