WATCH: Karim Benzema's best goals for Real Madrid
By Dan Hepburn
Karim Benzema has spent the majority of his senior career at Real Madrid and ended his spell at the Bernabeu as one of the best players in world football.
Joining Los Blancos in 2019, Benzema often played in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo but would become the club's lead talisman following the exit of the Portugal legend in 2018.
The former France international scored over 150 goals in his last five seasons with Real and over 350 in total, but Benzema's whole stay was littered with fabulous finishes, brilliant headers and cracking strikes from distance.
Here's a selection of his best in Real's colours.
1. Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Club (2012/13)
Benzema is no stranger to a well-worked team goal, but his solo effort here against Athletic Club was just purely sublime.
Benzema was given the ball by Jose Callejon in a heavily congested 18-yard-box. A touch, swivel and shot in one swift motion saw the Frenchman beat three Bilbao players and find the back of the net.
2. Ajax 1-4 Real Madrid (2012/13)
Away in Amsterdam in the Champions League, Benzema and co launched into a lightning quick counter attack following a botched Ajax free kick.
Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both arrived at the back stick as Kaka's floated cross came in but it was the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner who connected with a stunning stunning bicycle kick.
3. Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid (2021/22)
Benzema dovetailed with Vinicius Junior beautifully towards the end of his Real career, with some of their best work together coming in the Champions League.
One such example came against Chelsea in 2021/22. Benzema poked a pass through and ran into the box for Vinicius' return cross. He hammered a header powerfully beyond Edouard Mendy for an effort entirely worthy of the 2021/22 Champions League Goal of the Season gong.
4. Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad (14/15)
Benzema often pulled off eye-catching finishes that ooze class, with this strike against Real Sociedad a perfect example.
A quick one-two with Isco on the edge of the box teed Benzema up to pick out the top right hand corner, bending his effort around an onrushing defender.
Isco sunk his head into his hands in pure disbelief of what he had just witnessed.
5. Sevilla 3-3 Real Madrid (2016/17)
In the dying embers of a Copa del Rey clash with Sevilla, Benzema embarked on a magnificent run and finish during Real's impressive unbeaten run in 2016/17.
A combination of back-heels with Marcelo returned the ball to the feet of the gifted Frenchman. Without another thought, he opened up the Sevilla defence with some divine footwork and finished the move off by calmly slotting it past the keeper.
6. Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (2015/16)
There may not be a fiercer contest in Spanish football than El Clasico, but Benzema always seemed to thrive in the high-pressure environment.
He levelled proceedings in a 2015/16 game with a wonderful overhead kick, with Marcelo's run through the middle opening Barรงa up before Kroos picked out Benzema.
7. Osasuna 1-5 Real Madrid (2011/12)
This one could arguably could be the greatest of them all.
Ronaldo whizzed his way to the byline with some stepovers and crossed to Benzema, who had peeled off at the back stick.
The lurking Benzema then produced a delightful Marco van Basten-esque volley careered into the opposite top corner.
8. Valencia 2-3 Real Madrid (11/12)
Weak foot? What weak foot?
Valencia were caught sleeping as Xabi Alonso's quick free kick found a switched-on Benzema behind their high line to meet the defence-splitting pass.
One touch with his favoured right was followed by a pearler of a left-footed effort.
9. Real Madrid 4-0 Sevilla (2015/16)
This brilliant first-time half volley against Sevilla shows Benzema belongs among the elite finishers in the history of the sport.
He met Gareth Bale's inviting cross with such power and conviction that Sevilla's shot-stopper was left with little chance of making a save.
10. Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (2011/12)
Another goal the serial goalscorer took well came against Barcelona in the 2011/12 season, as he left the legendary Carles Puyol helplessly flailing in the process.
A ball bounced towards the Barcelona goalmouth and was ambushed by Benzema as he dinked it over the veteran Puyol and coolly slipped it into the back of the next.
Textbook Benzema.