With 41 goals in 41 appearances alongside 13 assists this season, with countless important goals at critical moments, Karim Benzema continues to prove he is the almost obvious candidate to win the Golden Ball. Last night (Tuesday) the French striker scored a double in Real Madrid’s 4-3 win over Manchester City in the first game of the Champions League semi-final, and showed once again that this is simply his season.
Benzema is the first player in the history of the Champions League to score five away goals in the knockout stage of the Champions League in one season. In addition, he is the first player to score at least 40 goals in one season at Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in the 2017/18 season (44).
But beyond the ability and numbers, it’s mostly the character, which was expressed yesterday mostly in one moment of genius – with the Pananka kicking from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute. Benzema missed three of his last four penalties before that kick, and in the previous league game against Osasuna missed twice from the penalty spot.
That did not stop him from approaching the crucial kick against Ederson with complete confidence, and bouncing to the center of the goal in art. Pep Guardiola has been documented as looking completely stunned after Benzema’s kick, grabbing his head in disbelief. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti also admitted he was surprised by the kick. “I did not know where he was going to kick and how he was going to kick, but he did it. It shows that he has a very strong character and nerves of iron. One has to be special to kick like that in a class like this,” he said.
This is what it looks like from the stands
Benzema’s panenka from the stands.
Ice in his veins.
[???? IG: farrisanubis]
#MCIRMA | #UCL pic.twitter.com/5yokpGAUs4— 101 Great Goals (101greatgoals) April 26, 2022
That’s how Pep reacted to the surprising Pananka
Pep’s reaction to Benzema’s penalty ???? pic.twitter.com/yrEp6RPrst
— GOAL (goal) April 26, 2022
The Spanish media, of course, rejoiced at Benzema’s penalty and noted that “this is further proof that the golden ball is already registered in his name.”
Benzema himself said at the end that he did not plan to kick Pananka, and made the decision with momentary improvisation. “I always tell myself that whoever doesn’t kick penalties, also misses them. I have the confidence to keep kicking as much as I should, I strongly believe in myself. Even after I missed my last two penalties, I knew it happened because I was stopped by a good goalkeeper. I realized that the goalkeepers are learning my penalties, they are preparing for me, so I had to change something. ”
According to Benzema, “I do not think about the Golden Ball, but I only want to win the Champions League and the Spanish Championship. The team titles are much more important to me.”
Mesut Ozil calls for Benzema to be awarded the Golden Ball
What a fantastic game ???? Give my boy Benzi the Ballon D’Or ????☝???? #MCIRMA Benzema ChampionsLeague
— Mesut Ozil (MesutOzil1088) April 26, 2022
Karim Benzema’s time has come. pic.twitter.com/fXbY01Ksc3
— TC (totalcristiano) April 26, 2022
Give it to Karim Benzema now ???? pic.twitter.com/vPmbqUKU6i
— GOAL (goal) April 26, 2022
By the way, Rio Ferdinand revealed last night that Alex Ferguson tried to sign Benzema at Manchester United when the French striker left Lyon, before signing for Real Madrid. In Ferdinand’s words, “Fergie told me, ‘I’m trying to bring in Benzema, but he seems to be choosing Real Madrid. I think in retrospect, that’s one of the biggest regrets in Sir Alex’s career.”