After scoring only five league goals in 32 appearances last season — coupled with the celebration of his 31st birthday in December — the limelight had decidedly shifted away from Karim Benzema at Real Madrid and onto potential transfer targets like Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Eden Hazard.
But there’s still a here and a now for los Blancos as the club looks to secure a top four finish in LaLiga (although Barcelona’s ten-point advantage at the top looks unassailable), advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and, most importantly, fight tooth and nail in defense of its Champions League crown.
And things are suddenly looking decidedly brighter at the Santiago Bernabéu following a three-match win streak in league play, including tricky victories over Real Betis and Sevilla followed by Sunday’s 4-2 triumph at Espanyol.
On Sunday, Benzema gave us a stunning reminder of his quality, scoring a brace that took his professional total to 300 (66 for Lyon, 27 for France and 207 for Real Madrid).
This was Benzema as goalscorer, provider and all-around exceptional footballer — a rare sort of virtuoso forward performance that very few on the planet are capable of, if only Benzema.
Karim Benzema vs Espanyol Highlights
“I don’t know if this was my best match of the season,” said Benzema. “Each match I want to do more and make nice things happen in the play, while also scoring goals, giving assists and doing a bit of everything. People ask a striker to score goals, but I think I am a No. 9 who has the soul of a No. 10.”
With UCL play resuming on Feb. 13 for Real Madrid, the club’s rounding into form at just the right time (it’s also noteworthy that Real’s opponents in the Round of 16, Ajax, have given up 10 league goals over their last two games.)
“He is a generous player, I don’t know anyone as generous as he in his game because he makes his teammates better and his efforts are always appreciated,” said Santiago Solari. “He had a spectacular game, one for Madridistas to enjoy and also anyone who likes football in general. The team has been working very well for a long time. In the last three games, we have been good in front of goal and have won our battles.”
Benzema can be seen wearing a protective splint after fracturing his finger against Betis on Jan. 13, but the striker won’t need surgery for the injury and will wear the splint over the next month.
Real Madrid returns to action on Thursday in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, looking to put the finishing touches on Girona after winning the first leg 4-2.
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