Five reasons why Benzema has rediscovered his dazzling form

Karim Benzema, who has got 24 goals this season, looks like a different player.

Karim Benzema is playing with a smile on his face, and that can only be positive news for Real Madrid. This season, the striker seems like another player: he has shaken off the at times apathetic demeanour which, in the past, led to a somewhat frosty relationship with the fans, and is adding both leadership and goals to the adept link-up play that has always been his hallmark. Finally, the Frenchman is the whole package.

He's stepping up in the wake of Cristiano's exit

It was expected that Gareth Bale would fill the gaping void left by Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese's summer departure for Juventus, but in the end it is Benzema who has come to the fore as Madrid's attacking spearhead. He had been Cristiano's most effective partner in crime when they were playing up front together, but now that he no longer needs to focus on supplying the bullets to his superstar former colleague, he actually seems to be more at home in Madrid's forward line.

His emerging partnership with Vinicius

Vinicius' playing style fits perfectly with that of Benzema. A footballer who always looks to create one-on-ones and take on his man - something which Cristiano found a tougher and tougher ask - the Brazilian creates the kind of defensive chaos that the ex-Lyon man is so good at using his reading of the game to exploit. "It's very easy to play with him," says Vinicius. Benzema was quick to sense that the teenager had the potential to be a useful attacking ally. The pair started pre-season at the same time, and he quickly took the newcomer under his wing.

Benzema also benefits from the efforts of Lucas Vázquez, who helps him to press the opposition more effectively than Bale (who tends to float about with greater freedom). The Galician clearly enjoys playing alongside the 31-year-old, too: "Karim is the best number nine in the world," Vázquez said. Vázquez-Benzema-Vinicius is a front three that works.

He's getting himself in more shooting positions

"I need to get myself in positions in the box more often," Benzema had said at the start of the season, and he is now proving as good as his word. "I'm a number nine with the spirit of a number 10," he reminded reporters, but it's there for all to see that he's shooting more, and scoring more. He has shot 86 times with 15 goals in La Liga this season.

He's showing unprecedented battling spirit

"The inspiration has always been there, but I've never seen Karim show this kind of determination to do his defensive duties," said former Madrid player and Spanish radio pundit Álvaro Benito. He has the air of a man who wants to take the responsibility, not only in pressing the opposition but also when Madrid are in the possession. He is getting himself on the ball more, and doing more with it. He has 44 key passes in La Liga this season, and his pass success percentage reaches 84%.

Physically, he's in absolutely tip-top shape

It has not been uncommon for Benzema's weight to fluctuate during his time at the Bernabéu, but after shedding five kilos last season he came back for pre-season having clearly sweated blood to stay in great shape over the holidays. And he has reaped the rewards of the hard yards he put in over the summer months: he has avoided the treatment table this term and has displayed a general freshness and sharpness out on the pitch that was lacking in other seasons. Benzema is a shining example of the effect that Antonio Pintus has had on a leaner and fitter squad since being brought back into the fold.