Madrid (AFP)

The progress of the French center forward of Real Madrid Karim Benzema is due to his "work", to his "involvement" and to his "assurance", underlined his trainer Zinédine Zidane on Saturday, in a press conference before the trip to Eibar Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in the league.

Asked about the reasons for the level of play displayed by Benzema, Zidane replied that it was "simply - and this is the most important - (of his) daily work, (of) the implication that he puts in everything he does ".

"He is getting older, he also has a lot of self-confidence," added the Frenchman.

"Afterwards, it's his game, the qualities, he always had them. The problem is that we discussed a lot about the fact that, from time to time, he did not score ... He is in proving by his game, and maybe there lately now by his goals, which may be more important to other people but not to me, that he is a complete player, and that he is the player that it is for all + aficionados + ".

Benzema is coming off one of his best statistical seasons with Real Madrid in 2019-2020 (27 goals and 11 assists in 48 matches in all competitions), and was voted the best player of the past season by the Marca newspaper.

"KB9" scored a header brace against Borussia Mönchengladbach on the 6th and final day of the Champions League group stage on December 9 to qualify Real Madrid for the round of 16, then followed by a high level derby against Atlético Madrid last weekend.

He still allowed the Madrilenians to win against Athletic Bilbao in the advanced game of the 19th day of the league Tuesday, which made Zidane say, after the match, that in his opinion, Benzema is "the best" before- French center of history.

"Zizou", who was able to keep his place on the Merengue bench thanks to the performance of his favorite center forward, would he have liked to be able to play alongside Benzema?

"Yes, of course it does. But unfortunately, it can't be done. Or I can do it, but by walking," "ZZ" concluded with a smile.

© 2020 AFP