Cristiano Ronaldo's departure last summer placed extra pressure and responsibility on Karim Benzema, but the French striker has responded well to this and has already netted 30 goals in the 2018/19 campaign.
Change is coming at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, but Benzema is playing well enough for the club to realise that they already have a striker capable of scoring goals.
This doesn't mean that Los Blancos will rule out signing another No.9, with Luka Jovic the leading candidate if they do go down that route, but Benzema's performances have shown that there can be life up front after Ronaldo.
Zinedine Zidane and those in charge in the club offices know already that they wanted Benzema to be their starting striker next season - either as a sole centre-forward, as he has been this year, or with a partner.
Zidane has always trusted Benzema, though not just for his goals.
In the mind of the coach, the striker's contribution to overall attacking play is important and his ability to function all across the final third could be especially important if Zidane shakes up the team's formation for the 2019/20 season.
All that remained for Benzema's place in the 2019/20 squad to be confirmed was the commitment of the player and he offered that on Sunday.
Benzema has now been at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for a decade, yet he still wants to play in white.
"Yes, I want to stay as I'm at the best club in the world," he said after his hat-trick against Athletic Club.
"Today we played in a system where I was the No.9 and didn't have to drop so deep for the ball.
"I don't know what they mean by centre-forward as a forward is many things in my view, not just goals.
"I play with the No.9 on my shirt and today I played as a No.9 in the system, but I don't mind if there is someone else to play alongside or not."
A busy summer is up ahead, but already it's clear that Benzema will be lurking around opposition penalty areas next season.