Huge player, formidable scorer: Karim Benzema (true) genius of Real Madrid

What more can be said ?

For weeks, journalists, followers and fans of Real Madrid have all come together on one point: Karim Benzema is a magnificent football player.

An esthete who frees himself with ease and delight from the weight of years and has never seemed so sure of his strength, in full possession of his means.

The number one striker of the biggest club in the world demonstrated it again Tuesday night against Atalanta (3-1) by once again donning this leader's costume which he has seized with ease for more than two years now. seasons after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

If he has 33 springs on the clock, the former Lyonnais seems to get younger with each exit, like his physique as a young premier coupled with an experience of an old man.

Benjamin Button football version.

Sign of a serene man, calm and eager to make the most of his last years at the highest level.

In the very closed circle of the 5 top scorers in the history of the Champions League

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Scorer against the Italians and great man (63 balls affected, 9 lost, 89.4% of successful passes, 4 shots including 2 on target) of the qualification of Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - a first for two seasons - Karim Benzema seems to push all the limits.

Much to the delight of his trainer and confidant, Zinédine Zidane, more than ever under the spell at a time when the ayatollahs of "youthism" keep sending Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland to the land of Madrid.

"You never know when he will stop, he is exceptional in the game and there are not many players capable of controlling the ball as he does, of making others play and above all of not losing the ball."

Symbol of altruism on the field but also formidable in the face of goal, "KB9" now has a complete range which makes it unquestionably part of the caste of the greatest scorers on the planet football.

Tuesday evening, by scoring Madrid's first goal, Benzema slammed into the more than closed circle of the Champions League's top scorers.

With 70 achievements, he is now in fifth place in a ranking made up of myths like Cristiano Ronaldo (134), Lionel Messi (120), Robert Lewandowski (72) and Raul (71).

Now a stone's throw from the idol Raul, retired but forever in the hearts of Madrid, the Frenchman knows he is able to overtake the latter.

To settle down even more in gigantic spheres.

Of those which, once your career is over, places you on the map of the great footballers of this world.

Of those who counted and left an indelible mark in the history of their sport.

Karim Benzema is of this race of lords.

The Blues, the big black point of his career

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Karim Benzema congratulated by Sergio Ramos after his goal against Atalanta on Tuesday night Panoramic

Eager to exist at the highest level and to meet the demands of a club like Real Madrid, which does not forgive, like any great institution, the slightest let-go, Karim Benzema took the plunge.

Impeccable hygiene of life, setting up sessions at home with a private coach, calibrated sleep, everything has been designed to last.

And perform.

“I'm always looking for more.

I always take more care of myself, I always train harder.

My age does not change anything, he says without wanting to put himself forward.

Today, we see a lot of players playing in big clubs at a very high level up to 30, 34, even 39 years old.

I am prepared for this.

And I will continue like this ”.

At the end of his contract in June 2022 at the Bernabeu side, the Frenchman even allowed himself to send a message to his president Florentino Perez about a possible contract extension.

"My door is open," he whispered Monday night at a pre-match press conference with a frank smile in front of journalists.

Sign of total confidence and a man not at all satisfied.

He is right.

With 21 goals in all competitions this season, not to mention his colossal influence on the game of his own, Karim Benzema wears Real Madrid this season.

Between the qualification for the quarter-finals of the C1, and a race for the title in La Liga which has not yet delivered all its surprises, the end of the season promises to be dense and rhythmic.

The only downside for the former Gone - and not least - his history with the France team.

With 81 selections and 27 goals on the clock, the Madrilenian has not donned the Blues jersey since October 2015. Despite his resplendent form, he will not be retained in the list of Didier Deschamps for the international meetings in March.

For reasons that everyone knows.

The big black point of an XXL career.  

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• Karim Benzema, the "Benjamin Button" of Real Madrid