Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has hailed Karim Benzema as the best striker in French history after a fine showing against Athletic Bilbao.
Karim Benzema scored the winner for Real Madrid as they recorded a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night.
Despite what the score-line may say, it was a game Los Blancos had to dig in deep to get all three points even against a 10-men Athletic side.
Toni Kroos opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the stoppage time of first half but Capa cancelled out the goal with the equalizer just at the start of the second half.
Athletic Bilbao contained Real Madrid well enough until Benzema rose highest to head in his fifth La Liga goal of the campaign in the 74th minute.
The Frenchman grabbed his second of the night in stoppage time to make it 10 goals in all competitions so far; the most of any La Liga player.
After the game Zidane was asked if Benzema was the best French striker ever and replied: “For me yes, in addition to what he does, what he shows, he has been at Real Madrid for a long time.” he said as quoted by ESPN.
“More than 500 games, all the goals, his record. What he has done speaks for itself. For me he is the best, it is very clear.”
Benzema has 27 goals in 81 caps for France and has not played for the national team since 2015 after a scandal with then-teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Zidane went on to further hail his frontward as more than just a striker.
“He is a more complete player now than he used to be. He is not a pure No.9, he doesn’t just think about scoring goals and that’s what I love about him,” the Real Madrid boss added.
“He loves to combine with his team-mates and create chances for them but he also knows how to score goals and he does that when the team needs him the most like he did today. That’s what Karim is all about.”
No doubt Benzema has already made his name as a Real Madrid legend but many Arsenal fans will fume at Zidane’s comments considering a certain Thierry Henry exists.
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