(Football news) Real Madrid on Sunday came from a goal down against Sevilla to win the match and go 4 points clear on the top of the table. After conceding early, Karim Benzema scored the equaliser before Vinicius Jr scored a late goal to secure 3 points. Benzema's equaliser was the goal that grabbed the headlines because of its historical context in the record books.
The goal was Benzema's 361st in club football which made him the highest scoring French player in club football history, surpassing Thierry Henry who had 360. Out of the 361 goals, Benzema scored 295 for Real Madrid and 66 for Olympique Lyon. Thierry Henry scored 228 for Arsenal, 28 for Monaco, 53 for New York Red Bulls, 49 for FC Barcelona and 3 for Juventus. Benzema also has 78 of his goals in the coveted UCL compared to Henry's 50.
Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid's first choice striker for over a decade now, which is not an easy feat at a club of this stature. Benzema spent the majority of his Madrid career playing 2nd fiddle to talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. Since the Portuguese striker's departure, Benzema has taken over the responsibility and lifted his game to another level. This season alone Benzema has scored 16 and assisted 8.
Henry has a legendary status which Benzema doesn't have as of yet but the numbers are heavily in Benzema's favour. The one thing missing from Benzema's cabinet is a World Cup. A couple of years ago it looked like Benzema would never play international football but now things are different. If Benzema wins the World Cup in Qatar then he will arguably be in the same bracket as Henry.
He also finished 4th in the 2021 Ballon d'Or rankings which is his highest finish. Henry is famous for being one of the legendary players who didn't win the Ballon d'Or. Both Real Madrid and Benzema are on the right course to win something significant this season. If Benzema continues his magnificent form then he may still be able to win the prestigious award.
