Can Karim Benzema break the 451-goal record of former Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo?
Karim Benzema is already one of the greatest Real Madrid players of all time. His goal in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt on 10 August 2022 has brought his tally to 324 goals in 625 appearances overtaking Raúl as Real Madrid’s second-highest all-time goalscorer.
Perhaps, he might defeat Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally, and might even surpass him to become the greatest Real Madrid goalscorer ever if he stays long enough.
Karim Benzema now has 324 goals for Real Madrid after scoring in their UEFA Super Cup win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Real Madrid captain has moved up to second on the club’s all-time scorer list after firing Carlo Ancelotti’s side to victory in the UEFA Super Cup.
However, Benzema still has some way to go if he’s to overtake the great Cristiano Ronaldo; the Portuguese superstar who found the net 451 times for Real Madrid in just 438 appearances.
The French international joined Real Madrid for a French record football transfer worth €35 million in 2009. Since joining the club, Benzema has been categorized with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
The perspective 2022/23 Ballon d’Or winner has, on several occasions rescued Madrid from defeat; giving them a tight victory. On the brink of elimination, Madrid added to their impeccable record in the competition as Karim Benzema came to their rescue with key goals just when Madrid needed them.
The Real Madrid captain contributed 27 goals to Madrid’s winning Liga campaign and another 15 in the Champions League to finish as the top scorer in both competitions. Ten of his Champions League goals came in the knockout stages, including hat-tricks against both PSG and Chelsea.
The 34 year old Benzema hit an incredible 44 goals for Madrid in 46 appearances in all competitions last season; an almost impossible achievement for other players.
However, Benzema’s current goal for Madrid is 324, will he be able to beat Ronaldo’s 451 goal record as the Frenchman hopes to lift more trophies as Real Madrid’s captain?
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to have played for Real Madrid. The 37-year-old football legend joined Madrid from Manchester United for £80 million in the summer of 2009 and stayed until the end of the 2017-18 season when he decided to join the Serie A outfit, Juventus.
During Ronaldo’s time at Real Madrid, the Portuguese International registered a total of 451 goals in 438 appearances in all competitions. He won two LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies in his time at Madrid and became the club’s all time highest scorer with a goal record higher than the number of appearances for Madrid.
Some factors will determine whether or not Benzema would reach and surpass Ronaldo’s goal record at Real Madrid, and one of these is the age factor.
Karim Benzema will turn 35 in December, and his current goals for Real Madrid are 324, in comparison to Ronaldo’s 451 goals till he left the club at age 33. At 34, Benzema needs, at least 128 goals to beat Ronaldo’s goal record achieved at age 33.
We all know that the rate at which Benzema is currently scoring is impressive, however, we should also keep in mind that his output is likely to reduce as he ages. He might reach 400 goals but the possibility to hit more than 451 goals for Madrid, to become the highest scorer, is low due to his age factor.
Another factor is the time factor. Benzema’s contract with Real Madrid will expire in 2023. Although the club is planning to extend his contract till 2024, however, Benzema’s days in Real Madrid may not exceed 2024. Recall that his former agent, Karim Djaziri did state in 2021 that it is the captain’s wish to return to Lyon one day, the club where it all began for him.
That means the Los Blancos captain is going to stay at the club for at least two more seasons. Hence, it’s practically impossible for Benzema to annex 128 goals within the space of two seasons if he would beat Ronaldo’s 451 goal record.
From the perspective 2022/23 Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema shouldn’t point his mind to surpassing the five times Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, as the highest Real Madrid scorer.
Or do you think Benzema can beat Ronaldo to be the highest goal scorer at Real Madrid? You can drop your opinion in the comment section below.
