Real Madrid fans had no idea in 2009 how much Karim Benzema would get under his skin, what kind of legacy he would leave on the Santiago Bernabeu and to what extent he would indebt the club. Those who followed him from the first day witnessed the transformation of the French goalscorer, an incredible transformation during Karim Benzema’s 12-year stay in the Spanish capital. 200 – Ante el Mallorca en la pasada jornada, Karim Benzema 🇫🇷 se convirtió en el 10º jugador en alcanzar los 200 goles en @LaLiga y el cuarto en lograrlo con el @realmadrid tras Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹 (311), Raúl González Blanco 🇪🇸 (228) y Alfredo Di Stéfano 🇦🇷🇪🇸 (216). Leyenda. pic.twitter.com/2rbwLEWZVy— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 24, 2021 From supporting actor to leading role. Often despised, and eventually a club’s hero, Karim Benzema went through various stages from the first to the 200th jubilee goal in the Blancos jersey. And both the jubilee and premiere goal are connected to the Santiago Bernabeu. Xerez was the first victim on September 20, 2009, and on September 22, Mallorca had the honor of the Frenchman packing it’s 200th goal. It took the Frenchman 12 years to reach the number of 200 goals in the Primera.(©AFP)The photos of the beardless young man who arrived from Lyon for 4.5 billion Ksh and recent once are practically incompatible today. Once a scared guy far from home in a sea of stars and club legends, and now the first name of Real Madrid. A trademark of the European giant and someone without whom it is difficult to imagine the Royal Club. There is no need to talk about physical transformation and everything from private life during the long 12 years at the Santiago Bernabeu – and the Frenchman will carry on, because his contract with Real is until 2023. It is enough to just focus on the field, the players who paraded, who he sent off and welcomed… With whom did he form an attacking tandem upon his arrival at the club, and who keeps his back in the attack today.He is their second best player this season but Real Madrid are taking too long to extend Vinicius’ contractIt probably sounds incredible, but with Benzema’s first goal in the Primera, his attacking partner was Ruud van Nistelrooy. Today, the tandem in Real Madrid consists of Benzema and Vinicius, who is more than twice younger than the former Dutch ace. Until the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, no one could imagine Karim Benzema as a leader. Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and many others were at the front. The Frenchman waited for his moment and it came. Although he is not officially the first captain of the Royal Club, everybody knows he is the leader. Marcelo is far from the prime, he is more on the bench and in the stands than on the field, so Karim Benzema is the one on whose arm the captain’s armband usually rests.He changed partners in the attack, but he also changed numbers. Upon arriving at the club, he wore 11 as part of the “week for Ronaldo” plan. The Portuguese had to temporarily take a nine, until club legend Raul left the club. When that happened, Cristiano Ronaldo took over number 7, and Karim Benzema 9. He was often challenged, many argued that he was not worthy to wear that number at Real Madrid. Now it’s a long time ago and all those who have said it just bow their heads when that story is pulled. Not only does that shirt number belongs to him, but he is one of the longest-lived ’nines’ in the Royal Club. Benzema has been wearing it for 11 years.LA LIGA – ROUND 7 Saturday15.00: (7.25) Alaves (3.80) Atl.Madrid (1.60)17.15: (2.70) Valencia (3.05) Ath.Bilbao (3.00)19.30: (1.65) Sevilla (3.70) Espanyol (6.50)22.00: (1.55) Real Madrid (4.40) Villareal (6.50)Sunday15.00: (2.75) Mallorca (3.05) Osasuna (3.00)17.15: (1.47) Barcelona (4.70) Levante (7.50)19.30: (1.40) Sociedad (4.80) Elche (9.50)19.30: (1.70) Rayo Vallecano (3.80) Cadiz (5.70)22.00: (1.85) Betis (3.50) Getafe (5.00)
