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I knew I could do more: Karim Benzema on playing second-fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

For the most part of his career, Karim Benzema played a supporting role to Cristiano Ronaldo, putting the latter in goalscoring positions and turning into a creator himself. However, since Ronaldo's departure, Benzema has been more prolific in front of the goal.

TN Sports Desk

Updated Aug 10, 2022, 13:58 IST

Karim Benzema had made some personal sacrifices when he played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Cristiano Ronaldo had left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018.
Since Ronaldo's exit, Karim Benzema has been scoring goals more often.
Benzema opened up on his role in the team when Ronaldo used to be at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been a true revelation since Cristiano Ronaldo left the club. Earlier, Benzema used to play second-fiddle to Ronaldo, helping the Portuguese get into goalscoring positions more often while making sacrifices himself despite being a No. 9. However, Benzema, sans Ronaldo, has been a lot more prolific.

Ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match against Eintracht Frankfurt, Benzema was asked about the change in his fortunes after Ronaldo's departure. The Frenchman admitted that even with Ronaldo he was aware of his potential but the style of play back then was different from what it is at the moment.

“It’s true I’ve scored more goals but when CR7 was here we had a different style,” Benzema told Omasports in the press conference.

“I provided more assists and he helped me on and off the pitch. I knew I could do more [at the time] and when he left it was the time to change my game and ambitions, I’m doing that at the moment,” he further said.

Benzema only scored 12 goals for Real Madrid in Ronaldo's last season at the club which was in 2017-18, with only 5 of those coming in the La Liga. Since the 2019-20 season, Benzema's goals have increased exponentially. In the 4 seasons since, the French striker has scored 21, 21, 23 and 27 goals respectively in the league itself.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, hasn't been able to create a similar impact at Juventus and Manchester United -- the two clubs he has played for since leaving Los Blancos.

Benzema would be after a personal milestone in the UEFA Super Cup match against Frankfurt too. If Los Blancos win the UEFA Super cup, it will be Benzema’s 23rd title with the club. The feat would make him the player with the joint second most titles in Real Madrid history alongside Paco Gento.

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