Austria – France, Blues: Karim Benzema, a last effort for a record

If he continues on his rhythm of these last outings in Blue, there is reason to believe. And with Karim Benzema this season, impossible doesn’t seem to be part of his vocabulary. So we say to ourselves: why not! Why not see him go back in time to equal or surpass Just Fontaine? The slap of the defeat against Denmark (1-2) and his decision to abandon his appeal in the affair of the “sex-tape” with Mathieu Valbuena almost made it go unnoticed. But a few days after lifting his fifth Champions League at the Stade de France, Karim Benzema reached the 50-goal mark in a season last Friday. A first for a French player for 56 years! Just that.

If nothing seems to be able to prevent him today from recovering his first Ballon d’Or after his monster year under the colors of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has not yet completely completed his mission for this 2021-2022 financial year. He has two games left. Two matches to allow the Blues to raise the bar after their disappointing performances at the start of June. Two matches to also go for a record that seemed difficult to achieve at the start of this season: to become the top French scorer in history over one season.

Formidable with the Blues since October

Left to rest on Monday to face Croatia (1-1), Karim Benzema has two illustrious French scorers in his sights: the former Nantes player Philippe Gondet and Just Fontaine. The first is only a small goal in front of him. And Fontaine is three behind with his 53 goals scored in his momentous year when he finished top scorer at the 1958 World Cup with 13 goals scored. So Benzema, who approached Michel Platini (41 goals in Blue) on Friday with his 37th goal in selection – the 10th since his surprise return a year ago – can he do it?

The best French scorers over a season (club and selections combined, with @Statsdufoot):

• 1. Just Fontaine (1957-58) : 53 buts
• 2. Philippe Gondet (1965-66): 51 goals
• 3. Karim Benzema (2021-2022): 50 boots
• 4. Roger Courtois (1935-36) : 49 buts
• 5. Stéphane Guivarc’h (1997-1998) : 47 buts
• Jean-Pierre Papin (1991-1992): 47 goals

After this mind-blowing season where he has never ceased to amaze his world with his efficiency and his ability to respond present in key moments, the 34-year-old center-forward leads us to think that it is possible. Three goals in two matches for the man of this 2021-2022 financial year, what is it? Almost a trifle. His performance is in any case promising.

Author of 44 goals this season with Real Madrid in 46 games, KB9 also displays – and perhaps especially at this time of the year – a lethal efficiency with the Blues. Since October, he has scored on each of his outings with the France team. And remains on six goals in five caps. What to say that he has enough to get Just Fontaine to write history a little more against Austria this Friday, then Croatia on Monday.