Owen Hargreaves hailed Karim Benzema as 'irreplaceable' after the striker helped Real Madrid to win the UEFA Super Cup.
After David Alaba had put Real in the lead against Frankfurt, Benzema proceeded to make it 2-0 after being found by Vinicius Junior.
It was a significant goal for Benzema, who has found the net for Real on 324 occasions.
Benzema has now moved above the legendary Raul into second place in the club's all-time top scorers list, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (450) having scored more goals for Real.
Despite the fact that he is 34 years old, Benzema is undoubtedly one of the standout strikers in world football and last season he made a major contribution to Real's Champions League success.
Hargreaves feels that because Benzema doesn't rely on his physicality he can carry on playing at the highest level for another couple of years.
Speaking on BT Sport, Hargreaves said: 'I think the great players rise to these occasions. Benzema, whenever they've needed him to have a big moment, him and Vinicius Junior have produced. It's just the awareness, the experience that he has at 34.'
'He's irreplaceable, but I think the thing about Benzema is he's not going to rely on his physicality because he's not super powerful so I think he's going to age well. He's not going to worry about making these big runs because he's always been a smart player, so in that sense I think he probably still has another couple of years at the top level.
'He doesn't look like he's slowing down, Modric doesn't look like he's slowing down. I don't think you can (replace him). Benzema, they tried with Mbappe, he's going to be hard to replace because there isn't another one out there.'
Joleon Lescott also praised Benzema, describing the Frenchman as underrated.
Lescott said: 'He's definitely one of the most under-appreciated players in the history of Real Madrid. What he did last season was remarkable.
'With the greatest respect to Benzema they've probably had more glamorous names that have scored more goals but in terms of their overall contribution to the team and the club there won't be many better.'
Last season Benzema scored 44 goals for Real Madrid across all competitions, with 15 of those strikes coming in the Champions League.
If Real are to retain their crown then it seems likely that Benzema will play a prominent part in proceedings again.
12UnitedGuyReborn
3
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Alhajishamsi
0
nice winning hala madrid
gm11
0
They will be praising Benzema that he is carrying Madrid but when he will leave the club they will say Madrid was carrying him and he should be thankful to Vinicius for his assists
Well he doesn't carry Madrid either did Ronaldo.
nobleng123
1
Is Benzema not getting all the Glory at real Madrid? Are they not playing as a team? Why is Manchester united different?
wiscdeiost
0
Big Benz = 0 haters + Balon d'or winner in my books. 👍👍👍👍😍
caobiklprs
2
They will be praising Benzema that he is carrying Madrid but when he will leave the club they will say Madrid was carrying him and he should be thankful to Vinicius for his assists
Ahlans
0
The best striker of the modern time.
Ahlans
1
This is an undoubted matter 'that the Ballon D'O is belong to Benzema as he has the 52 percent from the 100% and the 48 divided among the remaining contenders.
Thecloud
1
Ballon d'or after see Benzema be like hello hi there
Daniyel10
4
If this Guy doesn't win ballon'd'or🤏 the organizer will hear from me
luhimpsuyz
2
top on the world, best striker. name on the ballon d'or
ariwanze
0
That’s completely false. I can’t count the number of strikers that Madrid signed over the years to try and replace him. It’s not luck. Every manager that has coached him at Madrid understands that what he brings to the pitch is more significant than his goals.
Absolutely correct. We even went to Barca to sign Saviola. When u see a real Real Madrid fan, u will know by their comments. Spot on bro.
Zarporteaza
0
What a tragedy this guys gave me k9 such amount of space …. I’m not sure they know how dangerous he’s otherwise they’re not capable of holding him down …. Atariajanaku …..??😁😁
ariwanze
0
let's hope u understand what you are talking about that ua not under influence of any influence
lol
ariwanze
1
If Madrid had big strikers in their team they'd long have released or benched Benzema. Benzema has benefitted from Madrid's inability to buy a very good striker. Raul was in better form when Madrid sold him. C. Ronaldo was in better form when Madrid let him go. The original Ronaldo, the Brazil Ronaldo, was in better form when Madrid let him go. And so on. If they had got Mbappe a season or two ago, Benzema would have long been forgotten at the Barnebeu. That's Benzeme's luck.
I mistakenly liked your post. For educational purposes, since Real Madrid brought in Benzema as a 21 yo, Real Madrid have also bought many world class attackers but Benzema is so good that instead of coaches to bench him they used him to compliment those attackers instead. As good as Higuain was, when Mourinho was asked to choose, he realised this unique attribute of Benzema n choose Benzema n Higuain was sold to balance the books. Did you see what Benzema is doing with Vinicius now? Benzema has so much spoilt us that we are looking for an attacker like him unfortunately his type of attackers are very rare. None. The only one that comes close is Aguero, so the only way to get a perfect striker like Benz is to ask Benzema to train one for us.
RipRoz
2
Big Benz = 0 haters + Balon d'or winner in my books. 👍👍👍👍😍
Kuteesa
1
If Madrid had big strikers in their team they'd long have released or benched Benzema. Benzema has benefitted from Madrid's inability to buy a very good striker. Raul was in better form when Madrid sold him. C. Ronaldo was in better form when Madrid let him go. The original Ronaldo, the Brazil Ronaldo, was in better form when Madrid let him go. And so on. If they had got Mbappe a season or two ago, Benzema would have long been forgotten at the Barnebeu. That's Benzeme's luck.
let's hope u understand what you are talking about that ua not under influence of any drug
Kuteesa
0
If Madrid had big strikers in their team they'd long have released or benched Benzema. Benzema has benefitted from Madrid's inability to buy a very good striker. Raul was in better form when Madrid sold him. C. Ronaldo was in better form when Madrid let him go. The original Ronaldo, the Brazil Ronaldo, was in better form when Madrid let him go. And so on. If they had got Mbappe a season or two ago, Benzema would have long been forgotten at the Barnebeu. That's Benzeme's luck.
let's hope u understand what you are talking about that ua not under influence of any influence
ramo7k4
0
That’s completely false. I can’t count the number of strikers that Madrid signed over the years to try and replace him. It’s not luck. Every manager that has coached him at Madrid understands that what he brings to the pitch is more significant than his goals.
Exactly benz been on their line up over 10 years
tezcdknpz
5
My best striker tbh
Sadek85
0
This is 1 man who really proved his self
Footballanalyst23
1
If Madrid had big strikers in their team they'd long have released or benched Benzema. Benzema has benefitted from Madrid's inability to buy a very good striker. Raul was in better form when Madrid sold him. C. Ronaldo was in better form when Madrid let him go. The original Ronaldo, the Brazil Ronaldo, was in better form when Madrid let him go. And so on. If they had got Mbappe a season or two ago, Benzema would have long been forgotten at the Barnebeu. That's Benzeme's luck.
That’s completely false. I can’t count the number of strikers that Madrid signed over the years to try and replace him. It’s not luck. Every manager that has coached him at Madrid understands that what he brings to the pitch is more significant than his goals.
Yohabi1st
1
If Madrid had big strikers in their team they'd long have released or benched Benzema. Benzema has benefitted from Madrid's inability to buy a very good striker. Raul was in better form when Madrid sold him. C. Ronaldo was in better form when Madrid let him go. The original Ronaldo, the Brazil Ronaldo, was in better form when Madrid let him go. And so on. If they had got Mbappe a season or two ago, Benzema would have long been forgotten at the Barnebeu. That's Benzeme's luck.
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
0
vini and benzema be like
JoyNg
6
Karim Benzema lifts his first trophy as official club captain. What a moment!😍💜 Our true Leader👏💪💜🏆🔥
benyinson
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No long talk 👌🏾
GodFather88
7
if benz fail to win the Balon D'or this year.. That's the joke of the century..