Retro 2020
In second place in your 2020 favorites, we find Karim Benzema and his simply exceptional year. Providential man of Real Madrid, the former Lyonnais made speak all his class.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left two years ago, Real Madrid’s attack boss has been called Karim Benzema. Often in the shadow of the Portuguese since they evolved together (2009), number 9 is now the number one asset of Casa Blanca. If the first season was not glorious in terms of trophies, he still scored 30 goals and delivered 11 assists in 53 appearances, the second is a reward for hard work. Because the wheel has turned well. Without Eden Hazard, and with a Gareth Gale chaining matches on the bench, the OL-trained player has carried his team on his broad shoulders since the restart in order to conquer a title that had eluded him since 2017. Sometimes captain, regularly decisive – 7 goals and 2 assists in 11 games – the French international regaled La Liga and the Socios in a very particular health context. On its momentum, Benzema has been guiding its partners since the start of the season by being the top scorer and passer in the Championship (8 and 5). In the space of two years, the Habs recited his scores wonderfully to the point of becoming the conductor, breaking records one by one.
Benzema the savior, Zidane the untouchable
Thierry Henry, Roberto Carlos, Ferenc Puskas these three legends were all overtaken by the maddening statistics of Karim Benzema during this year 2020. All crowned by the title of best player of the season 2019-2020 awarded by Marca. A personal distinction that allows the 33-year-old striker to end a year in apotheosis while ending the hegemony of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Top French scorer in the history of the same club in the five major Championships (177), the former Lyonnais is also the 5th highest scorer in the history of Real Madrid in all competitions (261). Stratospheric figures that make him the best French striker in history. At least, for his trainer Zinédine Zidane. “It’s the best. He proves it, he has been playing for Real Madrid for a very long time, he has more than 500 matches (Editor’s note: 531 in total, Roberto Carlos has 527), (…) In the end, his record, everything he has accomplished here speaks for itself.»
– Favorite 2020: Liverpool, 30 years later
