Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema recently unveiled his ‘dream team,’ surprising fans with some notable exclusions.
At 36, Benzema now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, having left Madrid in 2023. He’s recognized as one of the standout players of his era.
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In Saudi Arabia, he’s teamed up with players like Moussa Diaby, Fabinho, and N’Golo Kante, though none of them made it into his all-time lineup…Continue Reading
Although Benzema is still actively playing, his legacy at Real Madrid is solidified, with 354 goals in 648 appearances, placing him second only to Cristiano Ronaldo on the club’s all-time scoring list.
Interestingly, despite winning five Ballon d’Or titles, Ronaldo did not make Benzema’s ultimate XI. Lionel Messi was another big name left out of the lineup Benzema shared in 2023.
For the goalkeeper position, Benzema chose Bayern Munich’s star and 2014 World Cup champion Manuel Neuer.
In defense, he selected Real Madrid legends Pepe and Sergio Ramos as his central duo, with former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves and Brazilian left-back Marcelo completing the backline.
In midfield, Benzema opted for an all-French trio: Zinedine Zidane, his former coach at Madrid, alongside Paul Pogba and former Chelsea enforcer Claude Makelele.
For an attacking role, he chose Brazilian icon and 2002 World Cup-winner Ronaldinho.
To complete the lineup, Benzema paired himself with Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario (R9) up front.
Though he left out Ronaldo (CR7), Benzema still spoke highly of his former Madrid teammate.
“It is also important that Cristiano Ronaldo is in Saudi Arabia because he is a very important player,” he said in 2023 [via the Mirror].
“He brings a lot to football in this country, and that will raise his level of play even more.”
But, speaking in 2018 – the year Ronaldo left Madrid – Benzema did explain how he scored more goals once the 39-year-old had left the club.
“It’s true that I’ve scored many more goals, but when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was here, we had a different style of play, I was providing more assists,” he said at a press conference.
“He really helped me on and off the pitch.” “But at that time, I did know that I could do more, and when he left, it was the time to change my game, change my ambitions,” he added.
