French star Karim Benzema led the international sports press, after leading Real Madrid to a big victory over Chelsea in London, by scoring a hat-trick, in the match yesterday, Wednesday, in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Sports analysts and former players praised the Real Madrid striker, noting that he is the most prominent player in the world to win the Golden Ball for this season well and deservedly, because of what he offers with the Spanish team in various tournaments.
Benzema's hat-trick is his second in a row in the Champions League, after he scored a hat-trick about three weeks ago against Paris Saint-Germain, to lead Real Madrid to the quarter-finals.
Benzema teaches Chelsea a lesson in headers 😯#European_League |
#Chelsea_Real_Madrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/wmvFz638pp
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 6, 2022
And the British newspaper, The Athletic, praised what Benzema did in yesterday’s match, saying: “Even at the age of 34, Karim Benzema is improving. The French trio is the mastery of someone who has been honing his skills for 15 years now, but what has been impressive is his dedication. He ran when he didn't have the ball."
Even at 34, Karim Benzema is improving.
His hat-trick against #CFC was the mastery of someone who has been honing his skills for 15 years now.
But what was so impressive was his dedication and running when he did not have the ball.
📝 @JackPittBrooke https://t.co/ZT9MeRiKsj
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) April 7, 2022
As for the Spanish newspaper, Marca, said about the French striker after his brilliance: "Europe surrenders to Benzema, he is the best in the world."
🙌 Europa se rinde a Benzema: "Yo no juego al fútbol para ser el mejor del mundo" 💜
https://t.co/n9KBeTcvDs
— MARCA (@marca) April 7, 2022
In the same context, the "Squaka" Network for Football Statistics published on its official account on the Twitter site, a composite picture of Benzema holding the Golden Ball, commenting on it with a question and an implicit answer by saying: "Who will win the Ballon d'Or 2022, and why is Karim Benzema?"
Who is going to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or and why is it Karim Benzema?
😅
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2022
In turn, former England defender and sports analyst Rio Ferdinand said: "They should have engraved Karim Benzema's name on the Ballon d'Or."
Rio Ferdinand knows 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/BEASPj3rmd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 6, 2022
The official account of the Champions League on Twitter praised Benzema's numbers this season.
His Real Madrid colleague Luka Modric also sang it, saying in a tweet on his personal account: "What a player."
#LaPortada BIG BEN 🗞 #UCL pic.twitter.com/qn2wqVnP3t
— MARCA (@marca) April 6, 2022
Another landmark for Karim Benzema ⚽️⚽️⚽️ #UCL pic.twitter.com/kECGuuRYsX
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 6, 2022
🇫🇷 34-year-old forward Karim Benzema has scored 37 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions this season 🤯#UCL pic.twitter.com/bY5ZJzjlZs
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 6, 2022
Benzema..
Yes.. they stole the golden ball from you#Benzema #Real_Madrid pic.twitter.com/oSK9k1KeRK
— Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (@khm_althani) April 6, 2022