Karim Benzema mocks journalist after debate over his place among football’s greatest strikers

Karim Benzema has hit back at a French journalist who questioned his standing among the greatest forwards in football history.

The former Real Madrid striker responded sarcastically after being told he might not even rank among the top 30 strikers of all time.

Benzema was taking part in a challenge during the Esports World Cup, in which he was asked to rank himself among the greatest attackers ever. The France international placed himself on the podium, behind his childhood idol Ronaldo Nazario.

That personal choice prompted debate on L’Equipe’s television channel, where journalist Yoann Riou disagreed with Benzema’s assessment of his own career.

Riou said Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, was not among the “top 20 strikers of all time” and suggested he might not even belong in the “top 30”.

Benzema reacted soon after the video was published by L’Equipe on Instagram. The former Real Madrid player wrote in the comments: “Hahaha, man, it’s late, go to sleep, wake up early tomorrow.”

The exchange brought renewed attention to Benzema’s place in football history, particularly after the former Al Hilal player had ranked himself alongside some of the sport’s most celebrated attacking figures.

Benzema’s selection of Ronaldo Nazario was also consistent with the admiration he has expressed for the Brazilian striker, who was his childhood idol. However, the discussion on L’Equipe centred on whether Benzema himself deserved to be considered among the greatest forwards of all time.

Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 after a distinguished period with Real Madrid. His status as one of the club’s leading forwards formed part of the background to the disagreement, although the original debate focused specifically on his ranking among the best strikers in football history.

His latest club spell ended shortly before the exchange. Al Hilal officially announced on 31 August 2026 that it had terminated its contract with Benzema by mutual consent.

The Frenchman had joined Al Hilal from Al-Ittihad, but remained with the Saudi Arabian club for only six months before the agreement was ended.

Benzema’s reply to Riou was brief, but its mocking tone made clear that he did not accept the journalist’s assessment. Rather than engage in a detailed argument over his achievements, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner chose to answer with humour and a direct message beneath the social media clip.

The comments have therefore added another chapter to the continuing debate over how Benzema should be ranked among the game’s historic strikers.