Jose Mourinho (right) managed Karim Benzema during his spell at Real Madrid
The France international joined Madrid for £25million in 2009, when current Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was manager, and scored just twice in his debut season.
But Jose Mourinho's arrival at the Bernabeu coincided with a upturn in form as Benzema battered away heavy criticism from the Real faithful.
Five years on and Benzema is under the same scrutiny after scoring just five goals in 15 outings - a relatively poultry record for a Real striker.
But the 27-year-old believes he has the mental toughness to come through a rough spell.
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He told Al Jazeera Sport: "I have had criticism ever since I signed for Real Madrid.
"I really think it is something that has happened since I came to Real where I cannot make a bad pass or have a bad game.
"At the start, it hurt me, but I am used to it now. It affects my family more.
"I knew that I was being criticised, that Mourinho criticised me, but it was his way of making me react.
"Actually, after that, I became mad. I worked as much as I could. Now, I come in before everyone else, I have treatment, I go to the gym, and I am the last to leave after training."
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