The French frontman has been a regular source of end products for Los Blancos over the years, but he prides himself on being a team player too
Karim Benzema has now scored 250 goals for Real Madrid, fifth in the club’s standings, but the Frenchman says he always has a lot more than just an end product.
He has delivered a lot of that in 11 memorable years in Santiago Bernabeu.
Its full worth has not always received the recognition it deserves, and a discerning fan base occasionally tries to ridicule it.
Working in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portuguese superstar’s stay in Spain did little to support Benzema’s cause, as his contribution often went unnoticed.
However, the 32-year-old has become a key figure under Zinedine Zidane since a five-time Ballon d’Or winner took off for a new challenge at Juventus.
Benzema has found the target 57 times in the last two seasons and is already in operation for 2020-21.
His most recent strike took him to a notable personal milestone, but Benzema says individual success was never a focus for him.
He told Real official website In the 2-0 win against Levante: “I’m very happy and very proud of my goals.
“[I’m] also [proud] of the game [we produce] At this moment at the club, because it’s an honor for me and I will work to keep scoring goals.
“People see football differently and there are a lot of people who just watch the goals, but there are more things like movement or passes.
“I’m a striker who can score goals too.”
Benzema has now joined a star-studded group of goalscorers in the top 5 of Real’s greatest frontmen.
Carlos Santillana is 40 above him with 290 on this card, while legendary Alfredo Di Stefano scored 308 for Blancos.
Long-time former captain Raul plundered 323 attempts in Madrid, with Ronaldo clearly in the lead with 451.
Benzema hopes he has many more goals ahead of him. His current contract runs until summer 2022.
He has admitted in the past that he would love to return to Lyon – the club that gave him his big break – before the day comes to hang up his boots, but such a move seems a long way off.
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