Wednesday evening, after his hat-trick scored at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, the statistics only rained down on the French striker.
“Karim Benzema has become the 4th player to score a hat-trick in 2 consecutive matches in the Champions League after Luiz Adriano, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo”, “Karim Benzema has scored Real Madrid’s last 5 goals in the Champions League and becomes the first player to score 5 consecutive goals for the club in its C1 history”, “Karim Benzema is the first French player in history to score 10 or more goals in a single Champions League season and the first to to do in the Champions League since Just Fontaine in 1958/59 (10) ”, still listed Opta, reference in terms of statistics in the world of football. So inevitably, after such a performance from the captain of Real Madrid, the debate is once again on the table. Is Karim Benzema the next Ballon d’Or?
If he was already one of the favorites for the 2021 edition, Benzema has only reinforced this status since the start of the year. Because his hat-trick scored Wednesday night against Chelsea is not an isolated act. He is, on the contrary, the illustration of the excellent form of the Frenchman, who never ceases to impress. Since the start of the year, Real Madrid’s n°9 has been more decisive than ever. He is currently on a crazy streak: since February 19, he has found the net in every game he has taken part in, six in all for 13 goals scored. Two triplets. An average of more than two goals per game. Stratospheric.
Decisive in the big moments
Above all, the 34-year-old carries his team. By scoring a hat-trick on April 6, the French striker offered Real Madrid a great option in the final. As he had, a month ago against PSG, turn the situation around on his own and allowed his club to reach the quarter-finals.
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Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal against PSG in the Champions League semi-final second leg. © AFP
When he is there, the statistics speak for themselves but when he is absent, same thing. Without him, the Merengue were eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Two weeks, already, before having painfully overcome Elche in overtime the previous round (2-1) without their captain. There is also this crushing defeat (0-4) conceded against the Barcelona rival at the end of March and in which Benzema had not taken part, touched in the calf.
The decisive 2022 World Cup for Benzema?
At this rate, Benzema is therefore once again one of, if not the main favorite for the Ballon d’Or 2022. A reward which will be awarded only a few weeks after the end of the World Cup in Qatar. The planetary sporting event will therefore obviously play its role in the choice of jurors.
If it should be, Karim Benzema will therefore have the opportunity to make an impression in the eyes of all. Especially since his selection agreement with Kylian Mbappé, also in the best shape of his life, is excellent and France will be one of the favorites to succeed him.
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A title with the national team is also what the former OL player lacks, who has already won everything with Real Madrid, and who is still in the running this season for a hat-trick. Super Cup – Championship – Champions League.
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