Karim Benzema, with his goal against Atalanta, now has the same number of Champions League goals Cristiano Ronaldo has since he left Real Madrid to join Juventus: 14. The Frenchman has become more of a goalscorer without the Portuguese.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus, Benzema has become much more of a goalscorer. Stats prove it and one of them is telling: Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have the same number of Champions League goals since the Portuguese's departure.
Both have got 14 after the Frenchman got on the scoresheet against Atalanta in the Champions League last 16 second leg tie. Ronaldo's most recent goal came against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the group stage.
The stats silence Benzema's critics. The Real Madrid forward has been questioned on more than one occasion, but nobody has been able to take his place. Jovic, Borja Mayoral, Mariano... none of these alternatives have done better than him.
The fact he has the same number of goals as Cristiano Ronaldo since the Juve man left Real Madrid is proof that Benzema is more than capable of being Madrid's main goalscorer. He himself, in his last press conference, said that he is capable of playing wherever he wants.