Real Madrid: for Zidane, Benzema is the best French center-forward in history

"For me, it's the best," assured French Real Madrid coach Zinédine Zidane on Tuesday night after the 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao about French center forward Karim Benzema, author of a double (75th, 90th + 2) to offer the Madrilenians the victory and the first place of La Liga ex-aequo.

Asked at a post-match press conference about whether Benzema is the greatest French center-forward in history, Zidane immediately replied: "For me, yes. He proves it, he's been playing for Real Madrid for a very long time, he has more than 500 matches, all the goals ... In the end, his record, everything he has accomplished here speaks for itself ". 

"For me it is the best, yes, it is very clear," said the Marseille technician.

"He doesn't just think about scoring" 

"Today, he's a more mature player. But he's always shown that he's not a pure N.9, he doesn't just think about scoring. That's why I like so much , I love him, he doesn't just have goals in mind. He is involved in the game, if he has to pass a teammate he will do it ... That's what I like about his football " , again praised "Zizou" Tuesday night after the match. 

"He's got both sides (scorer and full striker). And when you have to score, even when he's not having a great game like this (Tuesday) night, well he scores two goals. That's what he does. he is, Karim "," ZZ "concluded, all smiles.

10 goals and 3 assists since the start of the season 

Arrived at Real Madrid in 2009 from Lyon, Karim Benzema grew up for a long time in the shadow of the five-time Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo, to overtake on Saturday the Brazilian Roberto Carlos as the non-Spanish player with the greatest number of matches played at Real (529).

But since the Portuguese left for Juventus in Turin in 2018, Benzema has turned into a decisive center-forward and Madrid's top scorer, and one of Zinédine Zidane's strongmen. 

Despite a hamstring injury in his left leg that kept him away from the pitch for a month between early November and early December, Benzema has 10 goals and 3 assists in 16 matches in all competitions.

On Tuesday again, in an advanced game of the 19th day of La Liga, "KB9" signed a double with the head (75th) then with the right foot (90th + 2) to offer the victory (3-1) against Athletic Bilbao and the provisional first place in Liga tied at the "Merengues", tied on points (26) with Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad.