Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Karim Benzema has always been a hugely important player for the LaLiga and European giants after his two-goal haul.
Benzema – wearing the captain s armband – maintained his fine form with a brace as he helped rescue a 2-1 win over Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Madrid trailed at half-time but Benzema netted a towering header to restore parity approaching the hour-mark before the 31-year-old repeated the feat with nine minutes remaining.
Benzema – who arrived from Lyon in 2009 – has scored 17 LaLiga goals this season and four in his past three league games, earning praise from Zidane.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
He s always been crucial for the team, Zidane said of his French compatriot. He s scoring more goals now but he s always been a hugely important player. I want to speak about the team.
Karim knows very well that the team has been vital for him too and I want to stress just that.
I m delighted for Karim. But every player has reacted well, played for pride and looked to win the game.
Karim is having a great season and he s scoring a lot of goals. People s perception of him has changed as a result, but he s always been a crucial player.
Zidane: In the second half we played more like a team.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
Benzema, who only managed five LaLiga goals last season, has scored 26 goals in all competitions this term.
Madrid – already out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey – are third and 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.
