MX23RW : Monday, May 13 00:31:12| >> :120:13220:13220:

Zinedine Zidane: 'Karim Benzema record speaks for itself'

Zidane: 'Benzema record speaks for itself'
© Offside
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says that he "does not have to convince anyone" how talented Karim Benzema is, as the Frenchman's goalscoring record "speaks for itself".

Zinedine Zidane has told Karim Benzema's critics to look at the big picture, amid rumours that Real Madrid are looking to cash in at the end of the season.

Not for the first time this campaign, the Madrid boss has been forced to leap to the defence of the French striker due to his underwhelming form.

Benzema has struck just four goals all season in La Liga from 21 appearances, and his ratio in the Champions League is not much better - two in five, firing his latest blank against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

Taking into account the 30-year-old's return of 126 goals in 265 league outings across his near-decade at the Bernabeu, though, Zidane does not believe that he has to justify his decision to select the Frenchman.

"I don't have to say if [criticism of Benzema] is unfair or not," he told reporters at Friday's press conference. "I'm interested in the work he does; I would have liked him to score [against PSG] because he had chances, but what he did, he did well for the team.

"I don't have to convince anyone. There are people who know football and they know that Karim is very good. There are always players that people like or don't like. There are people who like Isco and people who don't, that's going to affect you and not me.

"Karim has been here for nine years and I don't have to defend him, he is very good, I like him a lot. His record speaks for itself. He is the No. 9 of Real Madrid and we only focus on him more because he hasn't scored much lately. What they are criticising is that he hasn't scored but he has done other things for the team and that goal is going to come."

PSG are one of four French clubs reportedly weighing up a summer move for Benzema.

ID:320510: cacheID:320510:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2873:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Neymar is unveiled as a Paris Saint-Germain player on August 4, 2017
Read Next:
Zidane: 'Transfer fees will continue rising'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!