“Hardest to play against,” Manchester United legend picks the best striker between Karim Benzema, Luis Suarez, and Robert Lewandowski

Karim Benzema had an illustrious career in Europe.

“Hardest to play against,” Manchester United legend picks the best striker between Karim Benzema, Luis Suarez, and Robert Lewandowski

Rio Ferdinand (Source: via SkySports)

Rio Ferdinand has admitted that Karim Benzema was the hardest to play against. Rio also believes that Benzema is the best number 9 this generation has seen, calling him a complete player.

Rio Ferdinand, regarded by many as one of the best defenders in the Premier League era, has chosen the best no.9. Giving plaudits to Harry Kane, Suarez and Lewandowski, the former Man Utd defender has picked Benzema as his best. “He always takes a touch away from the defender,” describing Benzema’s qualities. Shooting, heading, cut-backs and big goals, Benzema has them all. He ends by describing one of Benzema’s goals when he used to play for Lyon against United. In the span of 2-3 seconds, Benzema surrounded by Man Utd players, receives the ball with left, takes a touch away from the defenders with his right and slots the ball in the back of the net with his left again. Rio had to give him plaudits for that goal because it was unbelievably difficult but also extremely technical.

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Ferdinand also praises Benzema’s ability to recognize that he won’t be the star of the team. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema joined Madrid at the same time. It was obvious that the Ballon d’Or winner was going to take all the headlines, goals etc. Benzema showed no ego. Rio states that Benzema realized that in order to win trophies, UCLs, he would have to play second fiddle to Ronaldo and did so without hesitation. Comparing him to Rooney and how he also had to give the spotlight to the Portuguese. Unlike Rooney however, Benzema did become the main man at Real Madrid as he picked up a Ballon d’Or for his incredible ’21/22 season.

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Now playing at Al-Ittihad, the 35-year-old has already cemented himself in Real Madrid history.

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Karim Benzema’s impact in Real Madrid’s 21/22 Champions League campaign

Karim Benzema
Real Madrid UCL Champions ’21/22 (Source: via Real Madrid)

Why was this Champions League impressive? Why this out of all the other Champions Leagues? Real Madrid, unlike the other times, were not favorites in any of the games they played. They were the underdogs against PSG, Chelsea, Man City and finally Liverpool. Against PSG, Madrid were down by 2 goals in the 2nd leg of the game. By the 60th minute, it all changed. A hat-trick by Benzema in the span of 20 minutes brought the score to 3-2 on aggregate, leading Madrid to the QFs. Madrid found themselves 3-0 down against Chelsea, losing 4-3 on aggregate, it took till extra time for Madrid to pull through as Benzema’s header in the 96th minute ended the game 5-4 in favor of Real.

The semi-finals is where people realized that there is something magical about this run. Down 3-5 in aggregate by the 89th minute against City, Madrid’s exit seemed imminent. 2 late goals in 2 minutes set the stadium on fire as fans could not believe their team’s resilience. Taking the game to extra time, Benzema stepped up and scored a penalty which took them to the finals against Liverpool. Many believed this was Liverpool’s opportunity to take their revenge for 2018. It wasn’t so. A heroic performance by Thibaut Courtois held Liverpool to 0 goals as Madrid came out winners after Vini Jr’s goal.

That season’s UCL was a magical journey for Madrid. “This team’s spirit is unbelievable” said David Alaba. Karim Benzema picked up the Ballon d’Or alongside winning his 5th UCL.

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