OWEN HARGREAVES says Karim Benzema is “irreplaceable” for Real Madrid after the Frenchman became the club’s outright second all-time top goalscorer.
The 34-year-old’s strike against Eintracht Frankfurt to help seal the UEFA Super Cup was his 324th goal for the Spanish giants.
It left him one goal clear of Real Madrid legend Raul and behind only his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – who scored 451 – in the all-time list.
The forward played a crucial part in dragging Madrid to last season’s Champions League success, and is among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or.
BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves believes Benzema is central to what makes Real special – and thinks he can continue to be great for a few more years yet.
The former Manchester United midfielder told BT Sport: “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.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
“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, [Luka] Modric doesn’t look like he’s slowing down.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“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.”
Having been at the Bernabeu since 2009, the French forward’s best moments were arguably the role he played in last season’s Champions League knockout games.
Benzema inspired Madrid to unlikely comebacks against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City to get to the Champions League final, sometimes single-handedly dragging his side back into games through sheer will power.
He is now 126 goals behind Manchester United’s wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s all-time scoring list.
Read More on The Sun
Benzema claimed the second goal last night after David Alaba opened the scoring against Frankfurt.
It continues his outstanding form from last season, when he scored 44 times in 46 games to also help Real Madrid waltz to the La Liga title.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
