That’s 323! Karim Benzema joins Raul in Real Madrid legend

Karim Benzema has added yet another line to his legendary history with Real Madrid. And not least. The French striker is now the second goalscorer in the history of the Madrid club tied with Raul. He joined the iconic Spaniard in scoring his 323rd goal for Real on Thursday night against Levante. There is only one man left in front of Benzema now: the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo and his 450 goals in merengue colours.

History will remember that Benzema joined Raul with a header. The former Lyonnais made all his goalscoring instinct speak with a call that surprised the defender before slamming a victorious header on an impeccable cross from Vinicius, in the 19th minute of play. It was Real’s second goal. Six minutes earlier, another Frenchman had distinguished himself as Ferland Mendy had opened the scoring for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

44 matches, 44 goals

Arrived at Real in 2009 from Lyon against a check for 35 million euros, Benzema scored this 323rd goal on the occasion of his 603rd appearance in the Madrid jersey, in all competitions. The French international (94 caps, 36 goals), captain of Real, scored his 44th goal of the season in all competitions in… 44 matches. Benzema also extended his lead at the top of the La Liga goalscoring charts with a 27th goal. He is also the best passer in the Spanish league with now 12 assists, since he served Vinicius Jr. on Real’s 5th goal against Levante.

That he joins a player like Raul says a lot, a lot, about the imprint that Benzema is leaving at Real. This season, he had already beaten two other legends of the Spanish club, Carlos Santillana (290 goals) and Alfredo Di Stefano (308 goals). This 323rd goal above all reflects the exceptional level of a player at the top of his game, from the height of his 34 years. His 15 goals in the Champions League to carry Real to the final against Liverpool also attest to this. The title of Spanish champion in his pocket, Raul’s mark equaled, the former Lyonnais now has the C1 in his sights. In the meantime, certainly, the Ballon d’Or…

“The connection I have with (Karim) Benzema is very good, I hope it will last until he retires. And I hope he will take it here (at Real Madrid, editor’s note). I hope he wins the Ballon d’Or“, Vinicius also confided to Movistar after the meeting, he who scored a hat-trick on Thursday evening.