At the age of 31, Karim Benzema is probably living the best days of his career. Since his arrival to Madrid in 2009, his performances have been brilliant, but in the last two years he has changed his role, being much more effective in front of the goal. Right now he’s the top scorer of La Liga, and there is a big debate in France about whether Benzema should go back to the national team or stay out of ‘Les Bleus’.
Once criticized, especially in the season 2017/18, when he only scored 5 goals, now Benzema is one of the fixed players in the starting eleven. Zinedine Zidane has always trusted him, even when the things didn’t work out, but time proved that Zizou was completely right. Benzema is a leader in the team, a role model for the youngsters, and now a great striker scoring goal after goal.
Benzema is now the top scorer in La Liga with 9 goals, scoring some very important goals like the one at Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla. In the Champions League he has also scored two goals, both against Galatasaray. With this level, Benzema can easily be over the 21 goals scored last season or even the 24 goals scored in 2015/16, his record at Real Madrid. Who knows where is his limit?
Now that we are suffering the international break, there are many people in France that ask why Benzema is not in the national team. With Giroud far from his level -although he’s never been as good as Karim-, and with Griezmann and Dembélé not at his best, French supporters don’t understand why Benzema is not included in the list. Since his problems with Valbuena in the scandal, Deschamps decided to leave him out of the team. The World Cup in France stopped all the controversy, but the topic is still on the streets.
It’s difficult to understand, especially looking at Benzema’s behaviour during these 10 years at Real Madrid. In opposition to some colleagues, Benzema has never raised the voice, asked for more money, or behaved unprofessionally. On the contrary, Karim is helping the youngsters, showing character on the pitch, and playing at his best even without Cristiano Ronaldo. Right now, Benzema is leading this fenomenal attacking line with Hazard and Rodrygo.
