25/04 - 20:00
After years in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has finally fully snatched the spotlight in Spain, making a case for himself as the league’s best player for the second season running.
Falling just short of Lionel Messi’s 25 goals in 2019/20, Benzema was the key man in taking the title for an underperforming Real, and this year he’s well on course to do the same yet again.
Fifth on all-time Champions League goals behind Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Raul and Robert Lewandowski, Benzema is closing in on the top 10 in LaLiga, with his latest goal one of the most crucial yet.
Brilliantly winning the Clasico against Barcelona today with an exquisite first-time backheel, Benzema’s gone from the perfect foil to allow Ronaldo to become the club’s all-time top scorer, to now himself becoming the main man.
Messi still leads the league when it comes to the numbers, accelerating ahead of anyone in goals and assists, but as for being the linchpin for a title-winning side, Benzema is well clear.
And it’s not the past two seasons, he has been just as integral since Zinedine Zidane’s arrival, and the three consecutive Champions League wins.
Wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Sergio Ramos, Benzema led his side back to the summit once more, albeit possibly just for 24 hours should Atletico beat Betis tomorrow night.
But whatever twists and turns remain in these final two months of the season, you can be certain that if a trophy is there to be won, Benzema will be the man winning it.
WHAT A GOAL...KARIM BENZEMA! 😱
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) April 10, 2021
A brilliant run by Valverde, Lucas' cross is perfectly judged, and Benzema finishes with an audacious backheel flick at the near post 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EfjcIW0enE
