Karim Benzema landed at the Real Casino de Madrid with the smile of a footballer who knows he has done his job perfectly and has given the world of football all the quality that his boots possess. Now, it is his turn to receive the MARCA Leyenda award, a trophy that puts the finishing touch to a unique and enviable career. Because the No.9 has absolutely earned it and most importantly of all, he has earned the respect and recognition of his fellow professionals.
Benzema took to the stage surrounded by children to explain what Real Madrid means to him and what he experienced the first day he landed at what would be his home for more than a decade.
“Proud of my career. I remember when I signed for Real Madrid I was a kid, not as much as them, but I was 21… I just wanted to enjoy myself and look at everything I’ve won,” he said.
“There is no other club like Real Madrid, playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, the place where the greatest players in the sport have played. It’s always been my dream because it’s the best club in history.”
Before receiving the MARCA Leyenda award, Karim had the opportunity to see the unrivalled list of all the sporting legends who have had the pleasure of receiving this award: “They are the best, they are legends. I have really enjoyed admiring the sportsmen and women who have this award, I am very proud to be here”.
He also had some nice words for Florentino Perez: “He is the man who allowed me to be here today. The man who signed Zinedine Zidane and the man who brought me to Real Madrid”.
He has a list of honours befitting to a true legend, with 25 titles at Real Madrid, making him the player with the most trophies in the club’s history, along with Marcelo: Five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four Supercopa de Espana, four LaLiga titles, three Copa del Rey, one Ballon d’Or, one Pichichi, 456 goals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, 647 games (the foreigner with the most appearances in the club’s history and fifth overall) and 212 assists.
“Last year’s Champions League run was special. I don’t know if it will happen again, but it’s the best road I’ve ever been on. When I’m on the pitch, I feel how they love me, it gives me more confidence and I give everything for them. We played with 11 on the pitch plus the fans at the Bernabeu,” he said.
Benzema’s example and the perfect definition
“I’m not a (number) 9, nor a 10, nor a 9.5…. I know how to score goals, but I love football and I love to move, give assists, I do things that you don’t see in other strikers, I’ve always liked it. Ronaldo is not like Santillana, I’m not like Ronaldo. But I try to be like him,” he began with an explanation that has provoked countless debates on television programmes and in home chats between football fans. “I’ve always needed my teammates with me. One day I win, but this award and the others belong to everyone,” he said.
Moreover, Benzema did not hesitate to explain something that seems difficult for everyone to understand… but which sums up his feelings perfectly. For years, when he formed part of the trident with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, he lived in the spotlight as a different kind of No.9, one who was capable of moving away from the spotlight to become the best teammate in the world.
“When I say people who know about football, I mean professional footballers, I say that to my father… everyone can play, but we are at a professional level,” he said.
He cleared the air on his future and sent a message to Madrid fans
“Why do I have to talk about the future? I’m at Real Madrid. The reality is different, not what is said on the internet,” said Benzema after Miguel Quintana‘s question. “I’m very proud of my work, I enjoy every moment in Madrid. Going to Valdebebas to train is not a job. In my mind, I enjoy being in Madrid. Yesterday, today and tomorrow in training,” he said.
“A message to Madrid fans? One, two, three… Hala Madrid!”, Karim Benzema ended the MARCA Leyenda event with a declaration of intent following a question from Miguel Angel Toribio for Radio MARCA.
Questions from his young fans
What advice would you give me? “You have to enjoy football. You don’t have to be me, you have to be you. You will get to the top with hard work,” the Frenchman responded.
Favourite goal: “My favourite goals were my first goal and my panenka against Manchester City. I thought ‘today I’m going to do it’ at the Etihad Stadium.”
Are you going to stay at Real Madrid? “I have a game on Saturday, I train tomorrow, so at the moment I’m in Madrid.”
