Karim Benzema has been a crucial part of triumphs of Real Madrid in the Champions League.
However, there are concerns about whether his team can depend on him to continue their dominance in Europe this season. Benzema has frequently been sidelined due to injuries, and even though Vinicius Junior poses a significant threat on the left side, opposition defenses can concentrate on stopping the Brazilian winger in the absence of Benzema.
Furthermore, it’s uncertain what the future holds for the French striker at Madrid since his contract runs out in June, and neither the player nor the club has made any public announcements about renewing it.
Hoping to keep the forward on his team for the upcoming year, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said, “Legends of this club have to stay at Madrid.”
Benzema missed Madrid’s La Liga win over Espanyol on Saturday with an ankle issue but is expected to return to face Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday in a last 16 second leg clash.
Benzema missed Madrid’s La Liga win over Espanyol on Saturday with an ankle issue but is expected to return to face Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday in a last 16 second leg clash.
“Something is wrong with Benzema; never in his entire career has he spent so much time in the injury room,” complained Madrid newspaper AS last week, with Benzema out for the eighth time.
The forward has missed 34 percent of Madrid’s games across all competitions this season, 14 matches in total, but has scored 18 in the 27 games he has played.
Last season, Benzema captained Madrid to Champions League glory, with the 1-0 win over Liverpool in the final securing a record 14th triumph.
The forward netted another hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals to put Chelsea on the ropes and clinched the tie for his team with an extra-time winner in the second leg.
Manchester City suffered the same fate in the semi-finals, with Benzema netting twice at the Etihad in the first leg then slotting home a penalty to send Madrid through to the final, in extra-time again at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Benzema finished as the competition’s top scorer, with 15 goals, and scored 44 in 46 games across all competitions last season, as Madrid lifted the double.
That magic has been sprinkled less liberally this season, although Liverpool had a taste at Anfield in the first leg as Madrid ran out 5-2 winners, with Benzema netting twice, his first goals in this season’s edition.
It was a display of lethal finishing, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s side shell-shocked after they had raced into a two-goal lead.
Benzema’s brace took the forward to 88 in the Champions League in his career and he will hope to overtake Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski on 91 as the third top scorer of all time in the competition.
Both players are reaching the end of their storied careers and eyes are turning to the future.
With Benzema’s destiny yet to be decided, PSG’s Champions League exit last week proved an opportunity for some Spanish news outlets to rekindle links with Kylian Mbappe.
“If you want to win the Champions League, you already know…” ran Marca’s front page, next to a picture of the French striker.
Madrid fans are also excited about young prospect Alvaro Rodriguez, although it is too soon to expect the 18-year-old to make significant contributions on the European stage.
The club’s hopes of retaining the trophy this season reside with Benzema, who causes worry each time he suffers a new setback.
Some believe he has been deliberately preserving himself for the team’s biggest matches and the key European dates, and that it has affected his form.
“I see a very motivated Benzema, and I think you will see a different Benzema from now on, in 2023,” said Ancelotti in late December, but so far it has not transpired.
For Madrid to succeed again in Europe and win a fifth Champions League trophy in 10 seasons, getting Benzema back to his best is of the utmost importance.
