Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema has officially become the second highest goalscorer for the club behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema and Ronaldo signed for the club in the 2009 window to much promise and fanfare. Their unveiling was some of the fanciest which the club had done for any signing and they have both proven to be amazing investments.
Ronaldo, who left in 2018, went on to win four UEFA Champions League titles in his nine years at the clubz while scoring a record 450 goals to become the club’s all time leading goalscorer.
Benzema was a bit far behind, having taken a back seat to Ronaldo while the Portuguese superstar was the chief at the club. However, since his exit, he has stepped up to the plate and is one of the key factors responsible for the club’s successes in the past few seasons.
The 34-year-old striker has now ties another club legend Raul Gonzalez to become the second highest goalscorer in the club’s history with 323 goals.
Benzema scored the second of a 6-0 rout of LaLiga strugglers Levante UD on Thursday, in a match that was ceremonial as they have already been confirmed as LaLiga champions.
Los Blancos bounced back in style after losing the Madrid derby to Atlético de Madrid in the last game week to take Levante to the cleaners in front of a jubilant Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
Vinicius Junior grabbed the headlines with a hat-trick, but it was Benzema who made history. It was his 27th LaLiga goal of the season – the most he has ever scored in league football – and his 43rd in 43 games for the club in all competitions.
His goals have dragged the team out of several quagmires and has led to them securing the LaLiga and Supercopa De Espana already this season.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti stated earlier this week that Benzema became the leader after Ronaldo left, and that is why we are seeing this version of the Frenchman.
“I have difficulty calling Benzema only a centre-forward because he’s a fantastic player that’s playing from the front. He’s not only a top scorer but he also provides assists for his teammates and partakes in the build-up of play.
“He’s a complete player and for us, he’s really important because he scores so many goals. He’s a top, top player and I think he’s the best right now.
“I think Karim became a leader of the team when Ronaldo left because at that time he had more responsibility. Ronaldo was a player that was scoring around 50 goals a season and without him, Madrid had more difficulties to score goals.
“Karim took on this responsibility and became more important for the team. But this squad has a lot of leaders.”
He will be looking to go a few goals clear of Raul in the coming weeks as they look to finish LaLiga with a respectable points haul and win their 14th Champions League title against Liverpool on May 28.
