Benzema equals Raul’s record as Madrid’s 2nd highest all-time goalscorer

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored his 27th goal in La Liga this season to become Los Blancos’ second-highest all-time goalscorer, after Carlo Ancelotti’s men routed Levante 6-0 on Thursday to send the Valencia-based side to the second division.

Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr stole the show against Levante with a splendid hattrick, while Benzema, Ferland Mendy, and Rodrygo also got their names on the scoresheet.

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While the victory was an emphatic one for Real Madrid, who have already secured their 35th La Liga title, it was perhaps a little more special for Benzema.

Benzema’s 27th league goal this season saw him match Real Madrid legend Raul’s 323 goals in all competitions for the club, making him the joint second-highest all-time goalscorer for Los Blancos.

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The Frenchman, who is easily expected to break Raul’s record in the games and indeed the seasons to come, is only second to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who boasts a mind-blowing 450 goals for Real Madrid.

While the 34-year-old Benzema is unlikely to break Ronaldo’s ridiculous record, his performances for Real Madrid of late have nonetheless been extraordinary: the Frenchman has bagged a whopping 42 goals this season in just La Liga and the Champions League, and still has two league games and the UCL final against Liverpool to increase his tally for the season.

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Benzema has also been rather prolific on the creative front, and boasts 14 assists this season in addition to his 44 goals across all competitions in as many games for Real Madrid.

With Madrid already having won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana, a win over Liverpool in the UCL final could help Ancelotti secure the treble and make Benzema the undisputed frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or.