Madrid (AFP)
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Zinédine Zidane are gone, but he is still there: French striker Karim Benzema extended his contract at Real Madrid until 2023 on Friday, another year to step into the legend of the " White House".
"The story continues for me in the biggest club in the world. What an honor to be here today, thank you for the trust that has been placed in me for so many years ...", commented Benzema on Instagram.
Now the boss is him.
At 33, Karim Benzema is coming off the best season of his career on an individual level, and has become the main offensive asset of a Real Madrid in reconstruction, where his voice is increasingly important.
Mutual trust with the club from the Spanish capital, which has allowed it to establish itself among the best center-forwards in the world since 2009, and which today wishes to do everything to keep it.
As proof, the huge release clause set by Real, a dissuasive sum estimated at one billion euros by the press.
Figures justified by the last big seasons made by "KB9".
Since the departure of the icon Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, and despite the arrival of Eden Hazard in the summer of 2019 (often injured since then), Karim Benzema has turned into a cold, methodical and goal-hungry center-forward. which Real Madrid needed, definitively abandoning its role of supplier of balls and support of "CR7".
The joy of French Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema after scoring his brace against Borussia Moenchengladbach in their Champions League group match on December 9, 2020 at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium in Valdebebas, north -est of Madrid PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP / Archives
- Responsible -
Despite his age, his performances have improved: he was named best French player abroad in 2019 and in 2021 by the UNFP, best player of Real Madrid and La Liga in 2020, was part of the typical team of the last Champions League and finished 2nd top scorer in Liga last season with 23 goals, behind the untenable Lionel Messi (30 goals).
Last season he scored 34 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions.
What still dream of the Ballon d'Or?
"Always. It's always in my head," he slipped in an interview with AFP in early June.
This season, his role is therefore destined to be even more important, after a significant summer, where he returned to the France team after an absence of five and a half years to shine at the Euro with 4 goals (top French scorer) despite the disappointment of elimination in the round of 16.
French striker Karim Benzema equalizes (1-1) against Switzerland, in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, June 28, 2021 at the National Arena in Bucharest Justin Setterfield POOL / AFP / Archives
In 2020-2021, the white season of the "White House" has left its mark.
Now the club is counting on him.
He is the vice-captain behind Marcelo, will be responsible for taking penalties for the first time after Sergio Ramos' departure to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and above all, will have to wear this locker room led by the returning Carlo Ancelotti to the peaks of Spain and Europe.
Responsibilities that he already takes on the field: during the first match of the season in Alavés, Saturday, we saw him guide his teammates by voice, and score two goals, to offer a first and large success to Ancelotti ( 4-1).
French Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in front of Terain d'Alavès midfielder Pere Pons during their La Liga match on August 14, 2021 at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria Josep LAGO AFP / Archives
- Di Stéfano and Raul in the viewfinder -
Even if the child from Bron, near Lyon, is approaching the end of his career, his maturity, his game intelligence and his hyper meticulous lifestyle have allowed him to persist at a very high level.
"I'm not the same age, quite simply. I'm a father. It's different," he told AFP in June.
His record at Real Madrid is already breathtaking: three Spanish championships (2012, 2017, 2020), two Copa del Rey (2011, 2014), four Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) ... In total , Benzema has won 19 trophies in twelve years at Real.
The joy of French striker Real Madrid, winner of the Champions League for the 4th time, after beating Liverpool in the final, on May 26, 2018 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives
But "KB9" does not want to stop there.
With this contract extension until June 30, 2023, his goal is clear: to inscribe his name in the legend of Real Madrid.
With 281 goals in 560 matches, Benzema is the fifth highest scorer in the club's history in all competitions.
This season, he should overtake Carlos Santillana (290 goals), or even catch up with the immense Spanish-Argentine legend Alfredo Di Stéfano (307 goals).
Raul and his 323 goals will then remain in front of him, and the unattainable Cristiano Ronaldo and his 451 goals in the white jersey.
© 2021 AFP