Karim Benzema hits 40th goal of season for Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo

Karim Benzema secured a brace in the first leg of the semi finals of the Champions League versus Manchester City.

A Portuguese hero previously seized the show at Santiago Bernabeu, however, a French leader has risen from the darkness with grace. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were Real Madrid friends, with the Portuguese ace throwing a huge shadow above his French companion at the Santiago Bernabeu as he embarked on rewriting his legacy. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or victor, Cristiano Ronaldo left Spain for Juventus in 2018, enabling another established forward to rise to the occasion for the Blancos and showcase that he, too, can be a magical influence. Significantly, Benzema has prospered in Ronaldo’s absence at the Bernabeu, with the France star raising his play to new heights.

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Karim Benzema becomes the only Real Madrid player following Cristiano Ronaldo to notch 40 strikes in a campaign. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema netted his 40th club net of the season in the first half of the Champions League semi-final first leg versus Manchester City.

As netting hat-tricks versus PSG and Chelsea in earlier stages, Real Madrid pressingly wanted Benzema to shine again since City grabbed a 2-0 lead in just 11 minutes. He provided, as the Frenchman hit the back of the net on his first attempt. Ferland Mendy curled in a left-footed ball, and Benzema’s pace was too sharp for Oleksandr Zinchenko. Benzema beat Zinchenko to the ball and then steered the goal past the left knees back and then into Ederson’s cage.

Benzema is experiencing the best scoring campaign of his professional life. Previous to this season, Benzema’s best season in regards to club goals was in 2011/12 when he struck 32 strikes in 52 outings. His 40th goal of the campaign occurred within just his 41st outing of the season. He struck his 41st goal of the season eventually in the contest, as City triumphed 4-3. Benzema is Real Madrid’s first player to achieve 40 goals in a year since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2017/18. Ronaldo’s finest performance to date was 2014/15 when is bagged 61 goals.