By Dan Hepburn
Karim Benzema spent the majority of his senior career at Real Madrid and finished his time at the Bernabeu as one of the best players in world football.
Having joined Blancos in 2019, Benzema has often played in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow but would become the club’s main talisman following the Portugal legend’s exit in 2018.
The former France international has scored over 150 goals in the last five seasons True and over 350 in total, but Benzema’s entire tenure was littered with fabulous finishes, brilliant headers and decisive long-range shots.
Here is a selection of his best in Real colours.
1. Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Club (2012/13)
Benzema is no stranger to a well-crafted team goal, but his solo effort here against Athletic Club was simply sublime.
Benzema received the ball from Jose Callejon in a heavily congested 18-yard box. A touch, a spin and a shot in one quick movement saw the Frenchman beat three Bilbao players and find the back of the net.
2. Ajax 1-4 Real Madrid (2012/13)
Far away in Amsterdam in the Champions LeagueBenzema and his team launched a lightning-fast counter-attack after a missed free-kick by Ajax.
Benzema e Cristiano Ronaldo both went to the back post as Kaka’s floating cross came, but it was the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner who connected with a stunning bicycle kick.
3. Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid (2021/22)
Benzema bonded beautifully with Vinicius Junior towards the end of his Madrid career, with some of their best work together in the Champions League.
One such example came against Chelsea in 2021/22. Benzema makes a pass and runs into the box for Vinicius’s return cross. He hammered a header hard past Edouard Mendy for an effort wholly worthy of the 2021/22 Champions League Goal of the Season gong.
4. Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad (14/15)
Benzema has often delivered captivating finishes that ooze class, and this goal against Real Sociedad is a perfect example of that.
A quick one-two with Isco on the edge of the box prompted Benzema to strike into the top right corner, bending his effort around a rushing defender.
Isco put his head in his hands, in disbelief at what he had just seen.
5. Sevilla 3-3 Real Madrid (2016/17)
In the dying embers of a Copa del Rey tie against Sevilla, Benzema put on a magnificent run to end Madrid’s impressive unbeaten run in 2016/17.
A back-heel combination with Marcelo returned the ball to the talented Frenchman’s feet. Without thinking again, he opened the Sevilla defense with divine footwork and finished the move by calmly passing the goalkeeper.
6. Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (2015/16)
There may not be fiercer competition in Spanish football than El Clasico, but Benzema always seemed to thrive in the high-pressure environment.
He leveled the match in a 2015/16 fixture with a stunning bicycle kick, Marcelo’s run up center opening Barça up before Kroos selected Benzema.
7. Osasuna 1-5 Real Madrid (2011/12)
This could probably be the biggest of them all.
Ronaldo fought his way to the backline with a few passes and crossed for Benzema, who had broken away at the back post.
The ambush Benzema then produced a delightful Marco van Basten-style volley which landed into the opposite corner of goal.
8. Valencia 2-3 Real Madrid (11/12)
This brilliant first-half volley against Sevilla proves that Benzema belongs among one of the elite finishers in the history of the sport.
He took on Gareth Bale’s tempting cross with such force and conviction that the Sevilla striker had little chance to save.
10. Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (2011/12)
Another goal the serial scorer took well came against Barcelona in the 2011/12 season when he left the legendary Carles Puyol helpless in the process.
A ball bounced towards the Barcelona goal and was ambushed by Benzema who punched it over the veteran Puyol and coolly slotted it into the back of the next.
Manual Benzema.
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as WATCH: Karim Benzema’s best goals for Real Madrid.
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