Aside from his first year in Madrid, Karim Benzema has never failed to score 20 or more goals in all competitions for the Spanish giants. The French international is still just 26 years of age and is playing alongside arguably the best player of his generation.
Nevertheless, the former Lyon star is still subject to criticism from the Madrid faithful when things aren’t going so well. While Benzema can be streaky, his goal-scoring record and general importance to the team should not be underestimated.
Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to dominate the headlines as he so often does. Meanwhile Benzema added a brace in the 5-0 win, and it was his team-mate who ensured that he shared the spotlight.
“I’m happy for Karim. He’s the best striker in the League and one of the best in the world,” Ronaldo told reporters after the game.
Naturally, playing alongside such expensive yet precocious talents such as Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, Benzema perhaps doesn’t receive the praise he deserves. In addition, he’s an easy target to make a scapegoat of when the club encounters troubled times.
While Carlo Ancelotti continues to instil confidence and stability in the team after an indifferent start to the season, Benzema will undoubtedly be vital again this year. Madrid’s ‘BBC’ continue to improve and with it, the Frenchman will likely benefit equally as much as his newspaper-friendly team-mates.
France boss Didier Deschamps conceded this week that there is nobody better than Ronaldo, and if the Portuguese star believes Benzema is the best striker in Spain, then who can argue with him. The pair complement each other well, and naturally as the season progresses their relationship on the field will develop.
Nevertheless, what Benzema arguably deserves more credit for is his ability to bounce back every time he is in the firing line. The Frenchman has been forced to deal with his fair share of adversity during his time in Spain, but each time he responds the only way he knows how, and that is with goals.
In many ways, it is difficult for him to ever fully establish himself as a club favourite and legend. Benzema is merely part of the support cast to Ronaldo, but what he offers off the ball and his instinct in front of goal are invaluable to the team.
There is even an argument to suggest that Madrid need a player like Benzema to play a secondary role in order to allow the likes of Ronaldo and Bale to flourish.
The arrival of Javier Hernandez from Manchester United this summer inevitably increases competition and puts pressure on Benzema to deliver. However, it would come as no surprise if that only acts as further motivation, and while he continues to play with a chip on his shoulder, you can expect Benzema to respond by finding the net.