One might ask, ‘What makes Cristiano Ronaldo so special?’ The Portuguese legend is one of the most charismatic players on the planet. Not only does he inspire his team, but he also draws opposing centrebacks towards him, opening up space for Benzema and Modric. Here are three reasons why Ronaldo is so good for Real Madrid. Read on to discover the answer to that question and more.
Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ signings
During the 2003-05 season, Real Madrid assembled a star-studded squad, dubbed ‘Galacticos’. Though they failed to lift the UEFA Champions League, their star-studded squad produced legends of the game. This policy dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, when the club’s founder, Santiago Bernabeu, made a series of legendary signings. Jose Santamaria and Francisco Gento were two such stars. Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ signings would go on to win 12 La Liga titles.
Benzema is the only surviving member of Perez’s second generation of ‘Galactico’ signings. He was the only one to stay at the club after Cristiano Ronaldo was sacked. However, his four-year spell was marred by injuries. Nevertheless, his contribution to Real Madrid’s success is worth celebrating. And what more can Real Madrid do to attract the best players?
Cristiano Ronaldo is another of the ‘Galactico’ signings. He played primarily on the right wing and was awarded the Golden Ball in 1998. He went on to win the World Cup two years later, and won the Ballon d’Or twice while playing for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. In addition to a Ballon d’Or, he also won the Spanish Liga twice, and the UEFA Champions League once.
Florentino Perez is a controversial character. He promised to bring the best players to Real Madrid, and he fulfilled his promise. Perez has spent staggering amounts of money on the squad, and many of these players have proven to be world-class. ‘Galactico’ signings have been a success for Real Madrid and Perez’s legacy. It is difficult to say whether they will be able to deliver the same success again.
Ronaldo’s contribution to the team
While his career in Spain started at Sporting CP, he signed for Manchester United at the age of eighteen. Ronaldo scored four goals in his first season with the club, then went on to win the FA Cup in his second season. In his third season with Madrid, he scored an impressive 46 league goals. That year, he also scored a record 17 UEFA Champions League goals. In his fourth season, he had already scored 61 goals. By the time he was 23, he had scored a total of 252 goals in 228 La Liga games. Until his retirement from Real Madrid in 2015, Ronaldo was the club’s all-time top scorer.
In April 2014, Ronaldo scored his 400th career goal. His victory against Barcelona was criticized by some, but he quickly responded by branding critics ‘jealous’ and declaring his teammates ‘jealous’. In addition to winning the Champions League with Barcelona, Ronaldo has now made history in the club. He has also beaten his personal best in terms of scoring, as reported by ESPN.
Ronaldo’s generosity extends outside of football. During his time with Real Madrid, he has donated a shirt to a man with a rare form of epilepsy. The Real Madrid forward has also donated PS450,000 to three charities, including Save the Children, Unicef, and World Vision. In addition to his charitable work, he is a free-blood donor and has launched several fundraising campaigns to encourage people to donate blood.
Benzema’s goalscoring ability
Benzema has scored 189 goals in 400 matches for Real Madrid. With Ronaldo, he sits seventh in all-time LaLiga scoring. However, Benzema’s goalscoring ability is what separates him from the rest of the team. The French striker has scored hat-tricks in both the quarter-final and last-16 matches this season and has also helped his team to stay in the Champions League.
Benzema’s skills extend beyond his goalscoring abilities. He’s an excellent passer who can link up play and create goalscoring chances for himself and his teammates. Whether he’s receiving an aerial ball or attacking a cross, Benzema will always have an opportunity to score. He can also play early and wait for his teammates to make runs or he can burst forward to meet a relevant cross.
Benzema has provided the winning goal in the Champions League’s last two matches. Benzema’s outstanding goal-scoring ability is also the reason why the team is so good without Ronaldo. In this season, Benzema has scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists. Many people believe he is the best full-time forward in the world and many attribute his brilliance to the absence of Ronaldo in Real Madrid.
Benzema was named France player of the year after scoring twice against Marseille. At the Mestalla, the teenager scored twice, but fell at the hands of Sheriff. On 22 November, Real Madrid beat Levante 2-1, and Benzema’s brace against the latter is crucial. Real Madrid continue to play impressive football. The team also lost to Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey but won the game against the latter, with Benzema scoring the decisive goal.
Benzema’s lack of goals
The Frenchman has been criticised for his lack of goals this season, but he has also had a successful season with Real Madrid. In his 32 La Liga appearances, he scored a career-high 27 goals, and he was second in goals and assists. In the Champions League, he also scored 15 goals, including 10 in the knockout rounds. Benzema is one of the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and he’s also set to play in the World Cup for France in November.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid had the advantage in goal, but their defense was not as effective. Manchester City built up two goals in the second half before losing the game to Real Madrid. On 16 July, Benzema scored the winner from the penalty spot after a mistake from Aymeric Laporte. A yellow card was given for offside, but VAR overturned the decision.
The lack of goals at Real Madrid can be attributed to several factors. In addition to his poor goal scoring record, Benzema’s lack of goals came at a time when he was underrated by some fans. In his prime, Benzema played in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was putting up the goals at Real Madrid. During that time, he was also competing against other strikers including Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez. Many people recognized his quality, but criticized him for indolence.
Benzema’s pressures per 90
When comparing Benzema’s pressures to Ronaldo’s, it’s clear that the two strikers are equally effective. Both players create chances and are equally dangerous. Benzema has scored 14 goals in three seasons in the Champions League and has played alongside Ronaldo in the past. However, when comparing the pressures per 90 minutes of the two players, there are some significant differences.
Benzema’s pressures-per-90-minutes ratio is a key indicator of how much he helps the team. Real Madrid have consistently made the first team look good, and the player’s exemplary performances have been lauded by both fans and media. However, while Real Madrid’s season has been a success, it has been fraught with criticisms. Benzema has a difficult time competing with Ronaldo, and has been criticised by some in the press for his performance.
In recent seasons, Benzema has been the water carrier for the front three for Real Madrid. He had impressive goal returns in 2015-16 and 2016-17, but also served as a service for the Galacticos. While his numbers are lower than the one recorded for Ronaldo last season, they are in line with his best performances with him in previous seasons. Ronaldo’s performance is also important because he can help the team score goals more often.
In the same match, the French team won 2-0. Benzema’s pressures-per-90-minutes ratio is slightly lower than Ronaldo’s. Ronaldo scored two goals and assisted on another. In contrast, Benzema had a better match record. The French team also won the friendly against Norway and had a good record of attacking.
Benzema’s lack of assists
Karim Benzema’s poor season and his lack of assists have landed him in the headlines in recent days. Gary Linker recently criticized the Frenchman for his lack of assists this season, which has led to him being labelled a’scorer’ by his teammates. Benzema has, however, defended himself, saying he is an ‘assist player’.
The Argentinian has been a key player for Real Madrid for several years, and his recent form has made him a focal point for their success. Benzema has scored 15 goals in the league this season, and no one else in Europe’s top five leagues has more than 14. Despite his lack of assists, he has been an important part of Real Madrid’s success, winning the Champions League four times and scooping up individual awards from La Liga and Ligue 1.
Benzema’s lack of assist is especially troubling given his hamstring injury. With no assists this season, it is likely that he won’t be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or this year. It could well be a case of waiting until next season. If he is unsuccessful, however, he’ll have to make do with second-best alternatives, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz.
