Just when Real Madrid needs him the most, Karim Benzema seems to be hitting his stride.
This season, the Ballon d’Or winner has struggled with a number of minor injuries, one of which prevented him from participating for France during its journey to the World Cup final in Qatar.
However, as Madrid pursues two major titles, the 35-year-old attacker is performing once more like one of the finest players in Europe.
On Wednesday, Benzema led Madrid past Barcelona 4-0 and advanced his team to the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014.
Karim Benzema is the first Real Madrid player with a hat trick at Camp Nou since Ferenc Puskás in 1963 🤯
Legendary performance 👏 pic.twitter.com/8Yh1KdgTmn
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
In addition, Madrid will play Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals the following week as it attempts to defend its title and claim what would be a record-extending 15th European Cup.
Due to minor injuries, Benzema has only participated in 31 of Madrid’s 45 games across all competitions this season.
He has, however, continued to be productive when fit, particularly in crucial Champions League and Copa del Rey games.
He scored three times in Madrid’s 6-2 aggregate win over Liverpool in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
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He had three goals in a span of seven minutes in a 6-0 rout of Valladolid in the Spanish league three days before his hat trick at Camp Nou.
“The work during the (international) break has certainly helped him,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
“He’s found his best condition and with the quality he has, he makes a difference for sure.
“He’s still one of the best players in the world at the moment and when he’s in good shape he makes a difference.”
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