- Karim Benzema was always a subsidiary player from Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid
- After Ronaldo left in 2018, the Frenchman established a particular objective
- Listen now: Everything is starting! Can you really judge ineos after 12 months?
Karim Benzema has revealed the special challenge that was established in Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018.
Ronaldo had been the main man at Santiago Bernabéu for most of a decade, but more pressure fell on Benzema's shoulders when the Portuguese left.
Benzema spent five other seasons with the whites before leaving to the Saudi Arabia Al-Ithad club in 2023 in a three-year contract £ 258 million.
In 2022, the Frenchman lifted the Golden Ball for the first time after helping Madrid to win Titles 2021-22 of LaLiga and Champions League with 44 goals in 46 games.
And that praise, the reward for a long career, was not by chance since the striker had established the objective of filling Ronaldo's boots.
“When Cristiano left, that he had scored 50 goals, I said:” Now is the time to step forward and I was going to work because I have talent, but now I have to have more ambition than before, “” ” He said The beach bar.
Karim Benzema says he wanted to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese left Real Madrid
The French won the Golden Ball after leaving Ronaldo's shadow
Ronaldo had dominated the scene with the whites, but Benzema took a step forward when he left
'It is normal, it is normal (adopting additional responsibility). Gareth Bale, € 100m, it's a lot, he was also a good player, he was normal. But this is fine for me.
'I am happy that Karim's last image in Real Madrid is one of a champion, a ball of Or and a captain.
“I had the strength to continue, but I preferred to go like this, at the right time.”
Benzema scored a penalty about his real farewell appearance, while drawing 1-1 with Bilbao Atlético.
In total, Benzema scored 354 times in 648 appearances for Real Madrid, winning four LaLiga titles and three Spanish glasses in addition to its five crowns in the Champions League.
Real had waited for Benzema to stay for another season by activating an automatic renewal of one year in his contract.
But he ended a period of 14 years with the Spanish giants in 2023 and entered his new challenge with a similar ambition.
“It's a new challenge for me, a new life, and I can't wait to start training,” he said after joining.
“I will do my best to gain trophies, write down, show my talent, satisfy fans, club, president, everyone.”
That may well materialize this season, with al-nitihad sitting at the top of the Saudi League.
