Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is still one of the world’s best at the No. 9 position. He is leading the Madrid attack in 2020-2021 with the same class as in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. That is to say, Benzema is the man carrying the load for Los Blancos, making it work amidst injuries and growing pains from the young players around him.
It’s clear that Benzema is still operating at a high level, but he does not want to take his continued excellence for granted.
According to MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, the Real Madrid man has continued to put off signing a new deal with the club for the same reason he held off on making any commitments during his excellent 2019-2020 season.
He doesn’t want to stand in the way of youth if there is any decline in his performance. Therefore, he is holding off on signing an extension until as late as possible. Benzema’s current deal runs out upon the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season.
Karim Benzema keeps putting Real Madrid first
It is a noble outlook from Karim Benzema and a reminder of his leadership in the side, though even some fans have gone as far as to question that after the first match against Borussia Monchengladbach. (Of course, he was the one who calmed things down with Vinicius Junior and scored the brace in the must-win match over Gladbach the second time around.)
From a sporting perspective, this is beneficial to Los Blancos. The club has eyes on Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, with the latter easier to acquire than the former. Real Madrid want to show Haaland he has a path to playing time, even with Benzema in the squad. That Benz is willing to unselfishly defer a new contract out of respect for both the club and its young players is a sign to Haaland that if he is good enough, he will not befall the same fate as, say, Luka Jovic.
Madridistas want to see Benzema in Royal White for as long as possible, but it seems as if the striker will remain unmoved by any pressure to extend. His future belongs with Real Madrid, though he will not jeopardize the club simply to make himself happy.