[293] In the team's first match, a 30 win against Honduras in Porto Alegre on 15 June, he scored a goal in each half, the first from a penalty kick. How many goals did Lionel Messi score this season? Benzema had more trophies, more goals, more match wins, more assists, more dribbles, and more goals involvement than Drogba. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid top scorer! Benzema now has 413 goals to his name for club and country. He has signed several sponsorship contracts, notably with the Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai, the French telephone operator SFR and its subsidiary BuzzMobile, the French bank LCL and the sports betting company bwin. [140] A week later, he scored a double in a 40 shutout of Racing Santander. 2022: Real Madrid: 4x Footballer of the Year . He also took part in the team's second goal, when his shot rebounded off the post and was fumbled over the goal-line by Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares for an own goal, the first World Cup goal given by goal-line technology. At a professional level,Benzema has scored up to 8 hat-tricks, divided between one of them in his career with Lyon andthe rest with Real Madrid. He has been named French Player of the Year by France Football four times. [331] Highlighting his prolific goalscoring and his creative abilities, Benzema ranks as Madrid's all-time second-highest goalscorer and top assist provider, with 328 goals and 104 assists respectively. . Considered one of the leagues quickest players, the versatile winger possesses exceptional footwork, firm ball possession, and control. Benzema is in his best form of life now that he stepped out of CR7 shadow. For this reason, in this article, we will review his entire career and will highlight his statistics from his debut in 2004 with Olympique de Lyon to his excellent scoring goals for the French team and Real Madrid. He will be looking to help Barcelona retain their La Liga title this season as they compete in Europes top club competition the UEFA Champions League. This season the hosts have been the best-attacking team with 39 goals and the visitors have scored the lowest with 12 goals. 1 1 5 5 4. [289] In the team's ensuing group stage match against the Ukraine, he assisted both the goals in a 20 win. [344] A practicing Muslim, Benzema observes fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Polish striker was born on January 16th 1988 which makes him just 25 years old at the time this article is published making him one of Europes youngest legends in football history. An acrobatic and industrious centre forward, he scored forty- three goals in his seventy-two appearances for West Germany, and captained his country in the World Cup in 1966 and 1970. [141] On 24 March, Benzema scored two goals in a league win over Real Sociedad. [13][15] At under-16 level, Benzema scored 38 goals in the Championnat National des 16 ans, the domestic league for under-16 youth players in France. How many goals has Benzema scored this calendar year? At a professional level, Benzema has scored up to 8 hat-tricks, divided between one of them in his career with Lyon and the rest with Real Madrid. You have entered an incorrect email address! Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has provided the most assists in football. [203] On 9 December, he scored a brace in a 20 win over Borussia Mnchengladbach to send Real Madrid to the Champions League knockout stages as group winners. In his first match since being inserted into the starting lineup permanently, he scored his first Champions League goal of the season in a group stage fixture against Dutch club Ajax. [36] In the knockout rounds, Lyon faced Manchester United and Benzema continued to score, this time it was from outside the penalty box in the first leg match which ended in a 11 draw[37] and United eventually won the tie 12 on aggregate. To close out the campaign, Benzema scored another double in an 81 win over Almera. [61] Benzema was a part of four of those title runs. [26] Benzema opened the league campaign on a quick note scoring in the team's first match of the season against Nantes. In the middle of 2021, that is no longer news, and it is seen as something normal, something to highlight within the extraordinary career that the Frenchman has built at Real Madrid CF. Neymar is clearly loving life in France as he has already scored more goals in Ligue 1 than he ever got in LaLiga and the Brasileirao. The Portuguese superstar is a machine when it comes to scoring goals, and his record speaks for itself. Zidane was the first to achieve both honorable mentions. [239] On 30 September 2004, Benzema was one of three goalscorers in France's 30 away win over Norway. However, since Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Benzema's rise has been a meteoric one. How To Tell If Golf Pride Grips Are Fake? His conversion rate for shots to goals is 60. He joined from Lyon what seems like a lifetime ago (but was actually only 2009). Karim Benzema 's has the following offensive skills. Lionel Messi has scored 56 hat tricks in his career. A post shared by Karim Benzema (@karimbenzema). The 20 Most Beautiful Australian Cricketers 2023, Who is the Most Handsome Cricketer From Pakistan? The striker is just behind former Barcelona icon, Lionel Messi out there using the Argentinian scoring 10 plus goals an astounding 15 occasions throughout his amount of time in The country. Argentinian Lionel Messi is the record winner of the award with 5 wins overall. Benzema scored his first goal at under-18 level in the competition against Poland in the team's final group stage match. It proved worth the effort: Modric has made 469 appearances, scored 37 goals and won 22 trophies with the Spanish giants. Benzema opened his goal account for 202021 on 4 October, away to Levante in La Liga, netting his 250th goal for Real Madrid in all competitions. Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and was immediately thrust into a starring role, scoring 27 goals in his first season with Los Blancos. [339] His younger brothers Gressy and Sabri are also footballers. Frequently Asked Questions Benzema made his season debut on 2 October 2005 in a league win over Rennes, appearing as a substitute. Benzema has 114 g/a in 142 games while Suarez has 52 in 72. Hes been with the club since 2009, so theres no question about his loyalty or determination to succeed for Los Blancos. For me, he's the best striker of all-time. [168] In the final three days later against Kashima Antlers, Benzema opened the score in the 9th minute, and also assisted Ronaldo's second goal, as Real Madrid won 42 in extra time after the regular time finished 22 to claim their second title. Benzema failed to score a goal until the final league match of the season against Nantes as Lyon recorded its sixth consecutive league title.[32]. A creative and prolific forward, Benzema is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. In the league, he converted his three goals in wins over Osasuna and Valencia, while he scored his two Champions League goals in a 62 group stage win over Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. parrot decibel level. [118] The spell at the clinic was ultimately a success after the striker arrived at pre-season 8 kilograms (18lb) lighter. [75] After missing the mid-week match against Villarreal, against Tenerife at the weekend, Benzema scored his first double for Madrid in a 30 home victory. Ronaldo will most likely score another few scores this season as Real Madrid looks to reclaim their throne as Europes top team once again. 1. Mourinho was later credited with Benzema's transformation,[120] but denied full responsibility and, instead, gave credit to the striker himself. In the team's next group game against the Netherlands, Benzema played no part in the 41 defeat. However,all of his scoring potentialand his highest numbers have come fromwearing the white shirt. Benzema has scored more goals than Lewandowski for both club and country 404 to 340 but it is worth noting that most of Lewandowskis goals have come for Bayern Munich whileBenzemas best numbers came with Spanish champions Real Madrid. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and players praised Benzema for his performance. The 20 Most Beautiful Pakistani Cricketers 2023, Dale Steyn Net Worth 2023: Early life, Career, And Salary, Dwayne Bravo Net Worth 2023: Early life, Career, And Salary, Shaheen Shah Afridi Net Worth 2023: Early life, Career, And Salary, Jasprit Bumrah Net Worth 2023: Early Life, Career, IPL Salary, and Record, Glenn Maxwell Net Worth 2023: Early Life, Career, IPL Salary, and Record. Known for his exceptional work-rate, potent finishing and playmaking, the Frenchman sacrificed his own attacking returns for many seasons to be an amazing provider for the Portuguese star,. lewandowski is so consistent scoring 40+goals for five season consecutively. [209] Wearing the armband, Benzema was the first Madrid captain to score a hat-trick since Raul in 2008. Benzema ended his Instagram rant with a black and white selfie of himself with the caption "good night". [64][65][66][67] On 9 July, Benzema successfully passed his medical and signed his contract, a six-year deal, later that afternoon. DIVE DEEPER Lionel Messi Reveals 'The Best Thing That Happened to His Career and No, It's Not His Wife or 7 Ballon d'Or about 12 hours ago [232] By scoring in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt on 10 August 2022, Benzema brought his tally to 324 goals, overtaking Ral as Real Madrid's all-time second-highest goalscorer. Record-breaker Lionel Messi reaches 700 club goals, to fight Benzema, Mbappe for FIFA's 'Best Player' title,Messi scored his 700th club goal on Sunday and is on the verge of earning FIFA's 'Best Male Player of the Year 2022' title on Monday in Paris At this rate, it seems inevitable that he will surpass. LaLiga - 27 Goals. Ronaldos highest season return was 61, which he achieved in. Messi stated, "The World Cup win was the best thing that happened to my career, Thanks to God who helped me to achieve it after so many years of trying." Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Salle Pleyel, Paris, France - February 27, 2023 Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi winner of The Best FIFA Player award 2022 REUTERS . [150] Benzema started the season by scoring in a 21 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabu. ", Jos Mourinho, on Benzema's successful progression in 2011. [167] In the semi-final match against Amrica on 15 December, Benzema scored in the last moments of the first half, helping the team to progress in the final by winning 20. Highlights of Luis Suarezs sensational 2013/2014 season with Liverpool have emerged and he was genuinely unplayable. [254], Benzema made his under-21 debut for Les Espoirs under coach Ren Girard in the team's first match following the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship against Belgium. How many assists/goal passes has Karim Benzema provided? [145] Los Blancos captured their 32nd league title the following week cruising to a 30 win over Athletic Bilbao. Benzema was called up to the senior team for the first time under manager Paul Le Guen during the break leading up to the second half of the season. Karim Benzemas2020/2021 seasonwas downright good. Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo, with 117 goals in 191 matches and counting, has scored the most goals in international football in the mens game. The striker immediately drew the ire of Mourinho who declared to reporters during a pre-season media session that "Benzema must understand that he is extremely talented, but that in itself is not enough", while also stating that "[Madrid] need a striker who is sparky, not one that is listless". Di Maria had a sublime season in 2013-14 as he scored in the Copa del Rey Final and was named the UEFA Man of the Match in the Champions League final that year too. [148] On 18 December, one day before his 25th birthday, his fine form saw him earn the award for best French footballer of 2012, for the second year running. [222] Benzema became only the second player (after Cristiano Ronaldo) to score back-to-back hat-tricks in successive Champions League knockout matches. At the time,OL had a young strikerwho managed to stand out both locally and in theUEFA Champions League, which aroused the interest of the best clubs in the world at the start of the2008/2009 season. [87][88] Following the return of Higuan, Benzema was relegated back to a substitute's role and finished the campaign by making eight consecutive appearances off the bench. The double was his seventh of the season and allowed Madrid to close in on its first Primera Division title in four years. The most recent of them occurred inSeptember 2021against Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabu: Since his debut withOlympique de Lyon, Karim Benzema has had excellent seasons with both the French club andReal Madrid. UEFA Nations League Finals Goal of the Tournament: This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 12:11. [206] On 14 August, Benzema scored a brace against Alaves as Los Blancos kicked off the league season with a 14 away win to sit at the top of the table. [113][114][115], Prior to the start of the 201112 season, Benzema, taking the advice of compatriots Blanc and Zidane,[116][117] ventured to Merano, Italy, to attend a high performance clinic where he underwent treatment to reduce his weight. [92], Due to Mourinho preferring Ronaldo and Higuan as his forwards,[91] Benzema began the campaign as a substitute coming off the bench in the team's opening league match of the season against Mallorca. For the 200708 season, with Florent Malouda, John Carew and Sylvain Wiltord all departing from the club, Benzema switched to the number 10 shirt and was inserted into the lead striker role. At33 years of age, the Frenchmanalready has more than 390 goals, with spectacular merit as he is a player whohas rarely played in his natural positionas a pure center forward, but instead acts as a 10 capable of dragging records, generate play, and distribute the ballwithout losing its killer qualities. Those statistics include two assists for Mbappe either side of a goal of his own in Sunday's 3-0 away win over Marseille in Le Classique to extend PSG's lead at the top of . The Real Madrid striker, now 35, scored 44 goals in 46 games for his club last season, inspiring them to glory in the Champions League and La Liga. [287] On 5 June, in the team's final warm-up friendly ahead of the European Championship, Benzema scored two goals in a 40 shutout win over Estonia. [205], With the departure of Sergio Ramos to PSG, Benzema was promoted as Real Madrid's vice-captain for the 202122 season under Ancelotti. Ronaldo is currently the all-time leading scorer for club football with 71 goals ahead of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., both of whom have 68 goals between them. Who is the No. [348] In 2020, Benzema started his own YouTube channel, uploading videos of his everyday life, as well as interviews and fan Q&As. The 35-year-old was sensational as he masterminded Argentina's World Cup win last year, scoring seven goals and becoming the first player to score in every knockout game at the competition. [231], With the departure of Marcelo, Benzema was promoted to captain as the most senior member of the squad. - Benzema registered 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions for Madrid in 2021-22 and averaged a direct goal contribution every 66.42 minutes. The Football Arena Luis Suarez 458 career goals Robert Lewandowski 458 career goals! Despite being on theBallon dOrlistsconsistently in recent years, El Gato has never completed a season that puts him as the main candidate to win the Ballon dOr,until now. I've discovered your true face, and this isn't the one that said he appreciated me and wouldn't discuss the subject of team selections! [31] The injury resulted in the striker missing three months of action before returning in February 2007. [274] In the team's first match following its elimination from Euro 2008, Benzema scored a goal in a 32 friendly win over Sweden in Gothenburg. Footballs GOAT is a matter of continuous debate within the community, but the consensus in recent years has narrowed the question down to one of two players: Ronaldo or Messi. Benzema has scored a grand total of. Footballs GOAT is a matter of continuous debate within the community, but the consensus in recent years has narrowed the question down to one of two players: Who is the wealthiest footballer in the world? Joselu celebrates scoring against Cadiz CF in October [321] He is a creative, skillful, quick, agile, and prolific forward, who is good in the air and capable of playing off the shoulders of the last defender,[322][323][324] and has been described as an "immensely talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box" with either foot, as well as his head, despite being naturally right footed. [213] On 28 September, Benzema became the first the player in history to score in 17 consecutive Champions League seasons after scoring his first penalty in the competition in a 12 home loss against Sheriff in the group stage. ", "5 Things We Learned from Karim Benzema's Netflix Documentary", "Benzema cre sa chane YouTube et publie une premire vido", "Benzema's interesting response when asked about coaching Real Madrid one day", "Les citations dformes de Karim Benzema sur l'quipe de France et l'Algrie", "Karim Benzema: "On ne va pas me forcer chanter La Marseillaise", "Karim Benzema explique pourquoi il ne chantait pas la Marseillaise", "Quatre Bleus impliqus dans une affaire de moeurs? Karim Benzema Career Goals 2023 (Updated): How many goals has Karim Benzema scored in his entire career? The Real Madrid striker is not only known for the number of goals he scores every year, but also in terms of his creativity in building up play for his team. At the age of 34, Benzema became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. [184] He scored three goals in six matches, all of them against Plze, helping Real Madrid topping Group G.[185] Later on 13 February of the following year, in the first leg of the competition's round of 16, Benzema scored the opener of a 21 away win over Ajax,[186] reaching 60 Champions League goals, becoming only the fourth player to do so. The No.9 has scored 63 goals and 21 assists since last August until the end of the FIFA nomination. His official debut with the senior team took place in March 2007, in a friendly match against Austria in which El Gato scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory. Salah was sensational, scoring 44 goals, the second-highest total of any player in the club's history. On 13 March 2008, Benzema extended his contract with Lyon until 2013 with a one-year extension option. Alaba and Benzema have been teammates at Real Madrid since the former's move from Bayern in 2021 (Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images). ", "Spielerumfrage: Nkunku meilenweit vor Lewandowski", "Benzema et Reyes, rcompenss par l'Association de la Presse Sportive de Madrid", "Sergio Ramos, in the L'Equipe team of the year", "L'quipe type monde en 2021 des internautes de "L'quipe", "Benzema, Courtois, Modri and Casemiro in 'L'quipe team of 2022 | Real Madrid CF", "Cristiano Ronaldo wins EURO 2020 Alipay Top Scorer award", "Revealed: UEFA Nations League goal of the tournament", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Karim_Benzema&oldid=1142615644, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:35, 25 February 2023 (UTC). Will Covid-19 affect government vacancies in 2022? [221] On 6 April, he scored another hat-trick in the Champions League in a 31 away win over Chelsea in the first leg of the quarter-finals. [181], With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in July 2018, Benzema became Real Madrid's new goal-getter scoring 30 goals in all competitions in 201819 as the club's top scorer for the campaign. Both goals came inthe 2007/2008 season, one of the seasons in which he stood out the most at Olympique de Lyon. Will Benzema surpass the 50-goal mark for France? ", "Onze d'Or 2022: Karim Benzema remporte le trophe de meilleur joueur et ralise le doubl! [238] In the final against the hosts, he scored the opening goal in a 20 win as France were declared champions of the competition. 23. The site was launched in 2021 by two friends who wanted to provide a platform for the International community to enjoy all the latest sports updates. Even at 35 years old today, he's still scoring bangers on the regular for Juventus. His reputation as one of the world's best operators in European football has risen multi-folds year after year, as has his goal-scoring output. "I am really, really proud of my journey," he declared after claiming the Ballon d'Or. [318] On 19 December, Benzema announced his retirement from the national team. The perceived fall of the Real Madrid veteran's vote is somewhat surprising considering the stance he has taken on Messi in the past. The Real Madrid striker, now 35, scored 44 goals in 46 games for his club last season, inspiring them to glory in the Champions League and La Liga. Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy. His LaLiga goal tallies since then: 21, 21, 23, a personal best of 27 in 2021-22, and 11 so far this season. [214], On 22 October, Benzema scored Madrid's 1000th Champions League goal at the Bernabu against Shakhtar Donetsk. Luis Suarez best ever season for club (p90) : (2015/16) 53 games 4766 minutes 59 goals (1.11) 24 assists (0.45) 83 G/A (1.57) 166 shots (3.13) 80 chances created (1.51) 4 trophies won, not even TOP 5 in Ballon Dor. Benzema is the third youngest in the family and grew up with eight other siblings in Bron, an eastern suburb of Lyon. Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has provided the most assists in football. In 2008, he was named the league's Player of the Year and in the Team of the Year having finished as the league's top goalscorer and winning his fourth league title and first Coupe de France. In 2009, Benzema was the subject of a then-French record football transfer when he joined Real Madrid in a deal worth 35 million. [210] One week later, Benzema and Vini Jr would combine twice in the last few minutes against Valencia at the Mestalla to complete a comeback to earn Madrid their first win at the Mestalla in four seasons. In the current season Karim Benzema scored 18 goals. Lionel Messi - 26 Goals (FC Barcelona) Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. [nb 2] Following Ronaldo's departure in 2018, he took on a new role as the club's main striker, playing with his back to goal less frequently, and instead receiving the ball facing the goal and taking more touches inside the penalty area; in this position, he also often drifted out wide onto the left flank, while he was able to utilise his control and touch on the ball effectively to create goalscoring opportunities for himself inside the box. How many goals Benzema scored for Real Madrid? [13] After talking with Benzema's father, the club allowed the player to undergo a trial with Lyon. Benzema's latest post after Messi wins The Best award Twenty-four hours later and Benzema, winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, still wasn't over the result. Originally Answered: Who is the better striker Luis Suarez or Robert Lewandowski? Whats something your employer did for you you wont ever forget? [citation needed], On 10 November, Benzema scored his second goal of the campaign against Real Murcia in the 201011 edition of the Copa del Rey. Total. This curve, or s-curve as it is commonly referred to, makes the ball travel further than if it were round. Not surprisingly,he is already among thetop scorers in the history of Real Madridand is the star and reference of the White House today. [52] He was among the top scorers in the Champions League group stage, scoring five goals,[53] a double against Steaua Bucureti,[54] two goals in two matches against Fiorentina,[55][56] and a goal against the eventual group winners Bayern Munich on the final match day.[57]. Though most of Gallas' accusations were directed at Nasri,[270][271][272] during the competition, it was reported by newspaper Le Parisien that several of the national team players described Benzema as "arrogant" and that the striker was scolded by midfielder Claude Makll following the team's loss to the Netherlands. Goal No. However, for the2009/2010 season, Real Madrid made anunprecedented financial effort, and in the same transfer market brought players of the stature ofCristiano Ronaldo,Ricardo Kak,Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa, Granero, Albiol and, finally, toKarim Benzemafora price close to 35.00 million euros. [8] At 34 years and 302 days old, he is the second-oldest winner of the award, after Stanley Matthews. [298] He responded on 1 June 2016 in Marca, in an interview entitled 'Benzema: "Deschamps folded due to pressure from France's racist element"'. After an extortion problem that we will not delve into here,Benzema was marginalized from the calls. [192] In February 2020, Benzema extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2022. How many goals Lewandowski scored in his career? Benzema was called up to the team for the competition and played in all four matches, scoring a tournament-high five goals as France were crowned champions of the tournament. Copyright 2022 - BDJobsToday.org. Benzema opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but his goal was cancelled out by Steven Fletcher in the second half. Karim Benzema has extended his deal at Real Madrid until 2023. [241] Due to France winning the 2004 U17 European title, the under-18 team was allowed participation in the 2005 Meridian Cup. [153] On 23 March, Benzema scored two goals against fierce rivals Barcelona in El Clsico at the Bernabu from two crosses by ngel Di Mara, taking his goal tally in La Liga to 17 goals, though Barcelona won the match 43. In the Champions League, Benzema scored an important double against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium on the last match day of the group stage. Benzema has scored a grand total of 287 goals in 566 games in all competitions for Real Madrid since joining from Lyon what seems like a lifetime ago (but was actually only 2009). [347] In 2017, his documentary film Le K Benzema was released. The overall career stats suggest that Suarez have a better goalscoring record and is miles ahead of Benzema. [288] At Euro 2012, Benzema started the team's opening match against England, which ended in a 11 draw. [124] In the team's ensuing match against Ajax in the Champions League, Benzema scored Madrid's third goal in a 30 home win. 281 goalsBenzema: 19 trophies and 281 goals for Real Madrid. Originally Answered: Who is the better striker Luis Suarez or Robert Lewandowski? On his tournament debut, Benzema scored the opening goal in a 31 win over Northern Ireland. Foden is BACK - but what's up with Haaland?! [24] On 4 March 2006, Benzema scored his first professional league goal against Ajaccio in a 31 win. [201][202] On 27 October, he scored an acrobatic over-the-head goal in a 22 draw against Borussia Mnchengladbach at Borussia-Park in the Champions League, to become the second player in history after Lionel Messi to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons. Just how many strikes does the Frenchman have to his name, though, and in which competitions did he find the net the most often? How many goals has Benzema scored in his career? [59] The next nine matches, both Benzema and Lyon's form dwindled losing four matches, drawing three and winning only two with Benzema scoring only two goals in that stretch, both of them against Le Mans in a 31 victory. In the club he scored 17 goals ( Copa del Rey, La Liga, Champions League, Friendlies, World club championship). Benzema was called up for the first time to the senior national team by Raymond Domenech on 9 November 2006 for the team's friendly match against Greece that would be played on 15 November. 10 @realmadridens Karim Benzema ?? [356] On 20 July, Benzema was questioned by Paris police and indicted on the charge of "solicitation of a minor prostitute". [110] It was the only match of the campaign that Real Madrid lost, in which Benzema scored. [228] On 31 May, Benzema was named the inaugural Champions League player of the season. The 33-year-old will be looking to add another title this season as he bids to break Gerd Mullers record as the most decorated player in history. From Miami to Manchester! Benzema moves closer towards Messis record. Despite losing the title, Benzema got back on track scoring his 15th and 16th goals of the season on 17 May in a 31 away victory over rivals Marseille, the first goal being a penalty. Benzema made his debut in the competition on 9 June 2008 in the team's opening match against Romania. In his. [260] Two days before the match, he was forced to withdraw from the team due to a thigh injury, which he suffered while playing domestically for Lyon. [171] It was his first goal in six matches and for this performance he was voted Man of the Match. However, six minutes later, a Lionel Messi strike gave Barcelona the supercup. The Argentina captain has tallied 372 assists in his record-breaking career for club and country. [118] While at the clinic, Benzema also underwent physical training to build up his muscle mass. [294] He was named by FIFA as man of the match for his performance. has arrived at 10 goals in 11 of his 13 seasons in @LaLigaEN (10 in 2021/22) only Lionel Messi ?? Included in those ten goals were doubles in three straight matches against Mlaga, Racing de Santander and Hrcules, as well as a goal in the first leg of Madrid's Round of 16 tie against former club Lyon.