Karim Benzema Real Madrid’s Story

Having initially struggled to establish himself in a star-started team, Benzema's determination and self-belief led him to become Real Madrid's most decorated player with 24 trophies, including four La Liga, three Copa del Rey and five UEFA Champions League titles.

In this article, we reflect on Benzema's illustrious career at Real Madrid. From his arrival as a promising young talent to his evolution into one of the world's most formidable strikers, Benzema's career has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and remarkable consistency that have firmly established him as a Real Madrid legend.

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Benzema's Arrival and Early Years:

Benzema's rise to the grand stage of the Santiago Bernabeu began in Lyon, France. At Lyon, Benzema had developed a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in European football. Having graduated from the club's academy, he quickly became an integral part of the senior team. In the 2007-2008 season, he scored 20 goals, leading Lyon to another Ligue 1 title and earning himself the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award. The following season was equally impressive, with Benzema scoring 17 goals and proving his consistency.

In 2009, Real Madrid, under the presidency of Florentino Perez, was in the midst of a significant transformation. Having failed to win the UEFA Champions League since 2002, the Spanish giants embarked on an ambitious plan to regain their dominant status in European football. This involved investing heavily in world-class talent, leading to the birth of the second Galacticos era.

Benzema was seen as a long-term investment, a forward around whom the club could build its future. The French striker's signing was announced around the same time as other marquee signings like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and Xabi Alonso, underlining Perez's determination to shake up the squad and inject fresh, exciting talent.

Despite being surrounded by high expectations, Benzema initially struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Adapting to a new league, culture, and playing style, while facing stiff competition from established players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín, proved challenging.

However, Benzema was no stranger to adversity and his resilience began to shine through. He worked hard on improving his physicality and integrating into the squad. Despite these challenges, he managed to score 9 goals in 33 appearances in his debut season - a modest but promising start.

His second season saw a significant improvement in his performance, scoring 15 goals in 33 league appearances. A key highlight during this time was his goal in the round of 16 of the Champions League against Lyon, his former club. This goal was instrumental in helping Real Madrid progress to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in seven years.

Benzema's role in these early years was primarily that of a finisher, making use of his speed and strength to get into goal-scoring positions. However, his ability to hold up play, coupled with his keen understanding of the game, allowed him to contribute to the team's build-up play as well. It was this versatility that would later become a hallmark of his career at Real Madrid.

The Frenchman's early years at Real Madrid were a period of growth and adaptation. Although he didn't reach his peak form during this time, he showed glimpses of the world-class player he would become and played a crucial role in the team's successes, including helping the club to a Copa del Rey victory in 2011, their first major trophy in three years. It laid the groundwork for his subsequent rise and the pivotal role he would play in the club's future glories.

Coming of Age under Mourinho:

José Mourinho's arrival as head coach in 2010 signaled a new era for Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager was known for his strategic acumen and his ability to get the best out of his players. His arrival would have a profound impact on Benzema's development and trajectory at the club.

One of Mourinho's first challenges was to instill a sense of grit and discipline in Benzema, whom he believed had yet to reach his full potential. In an attempt to ignite a spark in the young forward, Mourinho famously compared Benzema to a 'cat,' suggesting he needed to work harder and be more aggressive in his play style. His comments drew a lot of attention, putting Benzema under intense scrutiny.

Rather than letting these comments demotivate him, Benzema took them as a challenge. He worked relentlessly on his fitness and mental fortitude, and his efforts paid off. He showed marked improvement in his work rate, on-field positioning, and link-up play, becoming a more complete forward.

The 2011-2012 season was arguably Benzema's breakout year under Mourinho. He scored 21 goals in La Liga and provided 7 assists, contributing significantly to Real Madrid's successful campaign that culminated in them winning the La Liga title. His performances won him widespread acclaim, with Mourinho praising his work ethic and development as a player.

One of the remarkable aspects of Benzema's evolution under Mourinho was his transformation into a versatile forward. While his goal-scoring exploits were impressive, he also demonstrated an excellent understanding of the game, often dropping deep to link up play, provide assists, and create opportunities for his teammates. This facet of his game became increasingly prominent and was appreciated by both the coach and his fellow players.

By the end of Mourinho's tenure in 2013, Benzema had firmly established himself as a key figure in Real Madrid's attacking lineup. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil was blossoming, and he had proven himself capable of scoring goals in crucial matches.

Mourinho's tough-love approach and Benzema's response to it proved to be a turning point in the Frenchman's career. His journey under Mourinho marked his transition from a promising young talent to a reliable and effective forward who could deliver in high-pressure situations. It was this evolution that paved the way for his critical role in the 'BBC' era.

The BBC Era and Beyond

The 2013-2014 season marked the genesis of the 'BBC' era - an acronym coined for the deadly attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. These three players were at the heart of Real Madrid's success during this period, carving out a unique chapter in the club's history.

Bale's arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 completed the trident. In their first season together, they netted a total of 97 goals in all competitions: Ronaldo with a staggering 51 goals, Benzema with 24, and Bale contributing 22.

This potent goal-scoring partnership was instrumental in Real Madrid securing 'La Decima', their long-awaited tenth UEFA Champions League title, in the 2013-2014 season. The trio were involved in all four goals in the final against Atletico Madrid, underlining their importance in the squad.

Throughout their time together, the 'BBC' was an embodiment of offensive excellence. Between the 2013-14 and 2016-17 seasons, they amassed a remarkable total of 273 goals in all competitions. Ronaldo was the top scorer with 159 goals, Benzema contributed 78, and Bale added 66.

While Ronaldo was the primary goal-scorer, Benzema played a crucial, albeit sometimes overlooked role in this trio. His excellent link-up play, unselfishness, and clinical finishing often provided the perfect complement to Ronaldo's goal-scoring exploits and Bale's pace and power on the wing.

The 'BBC' era came to an end in 2018 when Cristiano Ronaldo transferred to Juventus. Benzema became Real Madrid's new goal-getter – scoring 30 goals in all competitions in 2018–19 as the club's top scorer for the campaign. His prominence in Real Madrid's squad significantly increased.

Legacy at Madrid

The 2021/2022 season was one of Benzema’s best years at Real Madrid, really becoming the talisman in the squad. On 22 October 2021, Benzema scored Madrid's 1000th Champions League goal, becoming their fourth highest all-time top scorer. By 28 November, he surpassed Thierry Henry as the highest French goalscorer in club football. He scored his 300th goal for Madrid on 8 January 2022.

In April, Benzema scored back-to-back hat-tricks in successive Champions League knockout matches, a feat only achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo before him. His 96th minute header in the quarter-finals against Chelsea was pivotal, leading Madrid to the semi-finals. On 30 April, he contributed to Real's 35th Spanish title with a goal against Espanyol. On 4th May, his penalty against Manchester City helped Madrid reach their 17th European Cup final.

Benzema won his first Pichichi Trophy with 27 goals in the 2021–22 La Liga season. He won his fifth Champions League title after a 1–0 win over Liverpool in the final, and finished as top scorer with 15 goals. He was named the inaugural Champions League player of the season. In recognition of his performances that season, Benzema was awarded the Ballon d'Or.

Following Marcelo's departure, Benzema became captain and overtook Raúl as Real Madrid's second-highest goalscorer with a goal in the UEFA Super Cup. On 2 April 2023, Benzema scored a hat-trick in 6 minutes and 30 seconds in a 6–0 win over Real Valladolid, to become the third fastest hat-trick scorer in his club's history in La Liga. On 6th May, Benzema was part of the team that won against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final.

On the 4th June, Real Madrid confirmed that Benzema would depart from the club following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season. 

His legacy at Madrid is marked by his transformation from a promising young forward to a world-class striker. His departure signifies the end of an era for Real Madrid and Spanish football. His enduring legacy at the Bernabeu will inspire future generations of footballers.