A few seasons back, the name Karim Benzema was often used to make jokes because of his shaky form and tendency of missing easy goals. Even Real Madrid fans used to make fun of him and some went as far as to ask- why was he even in the starting eleven every match?
While it is true that Benzema hasn’t always performed up to expectation back in those days, it didn’t matter because whatever he lacked, Cristiano Ronaldo often made up with his hunger for goals. But Ronaldo has moved on and once he did, it was up to Benzema to take up that responsibility and carry the team. With Gareth Bale being constantly injured and out of form, Eden Hazard mostly being out of the pitch with his ankle issues, it always fell to Benzema to deliver and since Ronaldo’s departure, he has not disappointed.
He’s been rock solid for the past few seasons and his performance has been so good that he finally got that call from French national team. In Laliga, it’s difficult to see anyone who is more prolific at the moment other than Karim Benzema who reached 200 goals for Real Madrid in LaLiga Santander on Wednesday night, continuing his remarkable longevity for the club.
Only three other players have ever reached the mark for the all whites - Cristiano Ronaldo (312 goals), Raul Gonzalez (228) and Alfredo Di Stefano (216). Marco Asensio secured a hattrick in that match but Benzema has been on glorious form this season so far. He’s already scored eight goals and provided seven assists; his combined 15 goal involvements represent the best start made by any player after six league games in the 21st century.
Not only has Benzema stepped out of Ronaldo’s shadow, he’s already creating his own legacy at Real Madrid and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. From an icon of joke to an icon of hope, he’s returned like a king determined to reclaim his kingdom.
