In the eyes of the general public, Karim Benzema is at the top of his game, on the eve of the announcement of the list of Blues by Didier Deschamps, Wednesday evening during the JT of TF1. On October 17, he gave France its first Ballon d’Or in 22 years, then celebrated it two days later with a goal against Elche-Real Madrid (0-3). All before probably playing the adored rock star on Friday in Décines (Rhône), in presenting his Grail to its most loyal supporters, at half-time at OL-OGC Nice. Behind this idyllic showcase, which would implacably ensure the Blues to reign in Qatar, thanks to his tandem Benzema-Mbappé, the reality is quite different.
The Madrid captain’s start to the season is very far from the one he signed a year ago to kick off his best story in a 13-year saga at Real. Namely 14 goals and 8 assists over the first three months of competition, before having a monstrous influence in the double Liga-Champions League of his team, and being logically rewarded with this Golden Ball. Since mid-August, Karim Benzema has only scored 5 goals and 1 assist in all competitions.
Not a single Champions League goal
Worse, the delta is crying between its 15 achievements in 12 Champions League games in 2021-2022, and this group campaign which has just ended last week without the slightest goal or the slightest decisive offering from the supposed leader of Real . This is the first time that the former Lyonnais has experienced such a European drought in his interminable career (18 consecutive participations in the C1). Due to injuries / muscle fatigue in the thigh, Karim Benzema was forfeited from eight Real games in three months. This is already more than for the entirety of last season (six absences).
Asked about his repeated muscle glitches, Carlo Ancelotti was not overly reassuring on Sunday: “He will not play against Rayo Vallecano on Monday because the sensations are not good. He trained on Friday, he looked good. And then he had a little trouble. After missing all La Liga matches since his goal in Elche on October 19, KB9 returned to the Bernabeu lawn for 26 minutes on Wednesday in C1 against Celtic (5-1). Before yet another thigh problem. Unless he is established Thursday (9:30 p.m.) in La Liga against Cadiz, which Carlo Ancelotti is aiming for, he will therefore not have played a single match in full during the month preceding France-Australia (November 22). So, still so confident?
Tackled by Guti on Spanish television
Despite his status as an absolute icon in Madrid five months ago, the 34-year-old striker is starting to come under heavy criticism, especially after the problematic defeat on Monday at Rayo Vallecano (3-2), which allows Barça to take top of La Liga. During the inescapable emission The Chiringuitohis former partner Guti thus allowed himself to tackle your investment current club, two weeks before his first match at the World Cup: “There is a possible risk of not going to the World Cup playing at the moment, but you have to assume it because it is not possible to leave your team.
Apart from this poor performance at its neighbor Rayo, Real Madrid is progressing despite the poor form of its attacking captain. It is interesting to note that the reigning European champion is winning more games, scoring more, and creating more clear chances now than at the start of the 2021-2022 season. Could the French team that DD will unveil on Wednesday really show such serenity despite a “Benz” inside?