Karim Benzema, after scoring a double against Villarreal, paid tribute to Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, acknowledging their influence on his career at Real Madrid. With his two goals, Benzema reached a milestone of 104 goals for the club, putting him on par with Ronaldo in the club’s scorers ranking.
Benzema highlighted the special relationship he shares with Zinedine Zidane, who currently serves as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti. He described Zidane as a mentor and emphasized the specific advice and guidance he receives from him, particularly regarding his positioning and movements in front of the goal. Benzema credited Zidane’s instructions for his first goal against Villarreal, illustrating the impact of their close bond.
Additionally, Benzema expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, the Brazilian legend, whom he considers a role model. He acknowledged Ronaldo’s influence on his goal-scoring instincts and movement execution, citing him as a source of inspiration throughout his career. Benzema admitted to studying Ronaldo’s gameplay extensively, even watching videos of him before matches to refine his own skills.
Overall, Benzema’s remarks underscore the importance of mentors like Zidane and iconic figures like Ronaldo in shaping his success at Real Madrid and his development as a top-level striker.