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Javier Hernandez 'delighted' to battle Karim Benzema for Real Madrid role

Javier Hernandez insists he is not worried about competing for a starting role at Real Madrid with current first-choice striker Karim Benzema.

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Hernandez joined Madrid on a season-long loan from Manchester United at the end of the summer transfer window, with many pundits assuming that he is set for a "supersub" role given Benzema's success alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo as an attacking trio last season.

However, the 26-year-old told La Sexta show El Chiringuito de Jugones that he is a competitive person and ready to battle for his position in Carlo Ancelotti's team.

"That people compare me to [Benzema] does not pressure me at all, I am delighted to compete for a place," Hernandez said. "I know they will try and put me up against Benzema.

"It already happened with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Robin van Persie at Manchester United and it is normal at a top club. You learn from the best players in the world. I have always been competitive and this does not affect me at all."

The Mexico international said he was ready for what he saw as another step up in his career, and would not be satisfied by the odd substitute appearance.

"I played at Chivas, the best team in Mexico: I played at Manchester United, the best in England; and I am going to play with Madrid, the best club in the world," Hernandez said.

"I can only see the bottle half-full. Eleven play, but there will always be players waiting. I do not train to be a substitute; I am not someone who would settle for waiting on the bench for an opportunity. I will give everything."

Hernandez also stated that new teammate Ronaldo -- and not Barcelona's Lionel Messi -- was the world's current best player, saying: "Cristiano [is the best], without any place for doubts. You must be crazy not to think that. He is the best. Messi is good, but he is behind."

The new Blancos No. 14's first game for the club could be in Saturday's La Liga derbi against Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, where the visitors will also have their own new Mexican frontman, Raul Jimenez.

Jimenez, 23, told Mexican paper Record that he was looking forward to the clash, and hoped his side came out on top.

"What a coincidence that we are together in Madrid!" Jimenez said. "[Hernandez] is a great player, already experienced in European football. I hope we see each other on the pitch. It would be very nice. And that it is me who scores for Atletico Madrid."

The 10.5 million-euro signing from Mexican club America said European football was new to him, but actually suited his approach.

"In Europe the game is stronger, with more rhythm, quicker, but it suits my style of play, I will not have problems," Jimenez said. "I am a penalty-box player, I look to shoot, with my height I am good in the air. I also think I have a good touch and am quick with the ball."

Atletico have also signed Mario Mandzukic, Alessio Cerci and Antoine Griezmann this summer, but Jimenez said he was nevertheless expecting to soon nail down a starting spot.

"There is nothing to wait for," he said. "I want to win a first team place very quickly, although I know the quality of my teammates and it will not be easy. I have come to play for Atletico Madrid and make my name in European football. I am young, but if they have come to get me it is because they think I am good enough."