Benzema, at his best as a scorer 0:56
(CNN) -
Even before Karim Benzema sealed his hat-trick against Chelsea 30 seconds into the second half on Wednesday, the praise was pouring in.
The Frenchman's third goal, a gift from Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, was simply the icing on the cake of what was a wonderful individual performance in the first half.
When Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the attacker's performance in the press conference after the game, the Italian referred to Benzema not as a striker, but as a "complete player".
It would certainly be easy to argue that Benzema is now the most complete striker in world football, and his first goal against Chelsea, a beautiful thing indeed, proves it.
Thanks to the boss @benzema best 9 in the world đđłđ„đ hala @realmadrid
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After going down, Benzema received the ball twice near the halfway line before executing a perfect first pass with an outside edge, between two Chelsea defenders, into the path of VinĂcius Jr.
Benzema got into the area with a shot at the top of his lungs and headed in, almost from the edge of the area, a cross from VinĂcius right in the corner.
As the scoreboards go, a better one is unlikely to be seen in the Champions League this season.
Court in France says Karim Benzema used "subterfuge and lies" in Valbuebna sex tape blackmail case
Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's first goal against Chelsea.
"If you talk about decisive footballers, there are not many who can reach it," Alan Feehely, editor of Football Spain, told CNN Sport.
"He's got it all. He's the complete striker. He's a No. 10 and a No. 9...he's just a phenomenon."
"And if Madrid go all the way to the Champions League this season, as is possible, if not likely, then I think we will look at Benzema and re-evaluate how we see him because I think he has proven to be an elite, world-class striker. ahead of the modern game, as opposed to how we see it now, which is like a very, very good footballer."
"I think if he could continue at this pace, we'll look at him as one of the greats."
If the power of Benzema's first header was what beat Mendy, the precision of the second was what did it again.
Running and leaning back, Benzema tensed every sinew to guide Luka ModriÄ's cross into the goal and into the one part of the goal that Mendy couldn't reach.
BENZEMA IS AUTOMATIC
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Despite his goals and accolades, Benzema has undoubtedly been one of the most underrated strikers and even players in Europe over the last decade.
Many people point to the supporting role he played towards Cristiano Ronaldo during their nine years together in Madrid, but Feehely says this is an "overly simplistic" view of Benzema's development.
âI think he has matured as a person,â he says.
"In recent seasons he's really focused and like a lot of players when they hit 30 he realizes that time is short, that there isn't much more time left at the top level and this revolutionizes the way they approach their preparation. physical, his diet, his behavior off the field and I think Karim is an example of that.
Karim Benzema has spent much of his time in Madrid escorting Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It's not about him showing what he's got, now that Cristiano is gone and Bale isn't around as much, it's clear he's improved. You don't stay at Madrid that long unless there's something incredible about you."
"He has won four Champions Leagues with his teams, that's why I think he has always been a top level footballer and the goals he has scored for Madrid speak for themselves, but I think he is even better and has developed and become smartest."
Hat-tricks in two consecutive Champions League knockout games, for the second time in history after Ronaldo achieved the feat in 2017, catapult Benzema to 82 Champions League goals, just three behind Robert Lewandowski in third place. in the all-time standings.
At 34 years old, Benzema is now heading towards the twilight of his career.
However, the way he's been playing the last couple of years, it's hard to see him retiring anytime soon.
Once Benzema hangs up his boots, many may point to his incredible goalscoring record in taking accounts of football's best strikers, but Feehely believes the other facets of his game will put him above most of his peers. .
Alan Feehely says that Karim Benzema makes VinĂcius Jr. a better player.
Some of them are tangible, like the maximum of 11 assists in La Liga this season, among others.
"VinĂcius Jr., who I like a lot, without Karim Benzema he is not the same player, far from it," explains Feehely.
"Benzema is a playmaker as well as a goalscorer, and he makes everything better because he drags to play that role of a withdrawn striker."
"That's why he creates space for the two inside forwards - VinĂcius Jr. and then Marco Asensio, Rodrigo or Fede Valverde last night - and also combines that with the ability to get into the box and score goals."
"It's a phenomenal situation, really, and he has that clutch gene that great players have, that when the lights are brighter and the pressure is on, he can still produce."
With Benzema already scoring 37 goals this season, the fifth player in Real's history to do so, few would bet that Ancelotti's side will fail to conquer Europe if their star man maintains this form.
It may have taken half a decade too long, but Benzema finally seems to be getting the recognition his game always deserved.
Karim Benzema
