The Real Madrid attacker has been in impressive form this season and is arguably the best player in the world right now.
But former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the French international is producing the best form of his career at 34 years of age because he is now a ‘real athlete’.
Benzema is believed to have benefited from the summer holiday he spent in the Indians and Arsene Wenger believes the striker losing two or three kilos too during the summer has helped the French international into a World-class player.
Karim Benzema has scored 43 goals and 43 appearances this season helping Real Madrid win the Spanish La Liga and now the UEFA Champions League final.
The French is now the leading top goal scorer in the Spanish La Liga and the Champions League and has an equal to Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of most goals scored in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League by a player in a single season.
What did Arsene Wenger say?
The former Arsenal manager told beIN SPORTS:’It is something interesting that we are seeing across Europe now: the oldest strikers are the most efficient.’
‘Robert Lewandowski, Benzema, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they are scoring goals at 35 and at 40.
‘The best strikers in Europe are all over 30 years of age. They use every opponent’s mistake.
‘Benzema, I would say, until I was 30, had two or three kilos too many. Now he’s a real athlete and that’s why today, certainly, he’s one of the two or three best strikers in the world.’
Karim Benzema has been the main Architect for the loss of Blancos, masterminding their Comeback against Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea. scoring a hat trick in both games in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively.
The French international was also on the score sheet in both the first leg and second leg against Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger believes the 34 years old French striker has demonstrated intelligence in his game and has made things look simple.
The former Arsene manager said this about Karim Benzema:’I would say he’s a demonstration of intelligence and efficiency. Everything he does is intelligent and looks simple.
‘When I see him play, I think I could do the same. He smells the rhythm of the game like nobody else.’
Ancelotti has been well aware of Benzema’s importance to Madrid for a long time, saying before their quarter-final win over Chelsea: ‘We are dependent on Benzema.
‘That’s how it is, we are not going to deny it. And I’m very happy that we are dependent on Karim. It’s a reality, and it’s a good thing.
‘Karim is a modern forward and [does] what is required of strikers. Everything, including defensive work. He is the perfect representation of what a center forward should be in today’s football.’
Former Real player Fernando Ruiz Hierro believes Karim Benzema deserve the Ballon D’Or and the Golden Bal.
The Real Madrid legend and former captain Hierro said: “Karim is an extraordinary player. Guti has played with him. When I was the second coach to Ancelotti, I have seen with my eyes what an exceptional player he is.” “He connects very well with his mates. When Cristiano [Ronaldo] left, no one expected Karim to score that many goals but I think he surprised all of us. I think he is completely worthy of the Ballon D’Or and the Golden Ball.”