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#2 - Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema's case in an interesting one. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, the Frenchman was part of one of the most feared trios in world football as Real Madrid went on to define an era in European football.
The Los Blancos stunned the world of football by sealing a record-breaking hat-trick of Champions League trophies and Benzema played a key role in each of their triumphs, also going on to win the league in the 2017/18 season.
With Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a shock move to Juventus and Gareth Bale struggling with injuries last season, the Madrid club had a league season to forget, as the likes of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari were both appointed at the helm and sacked in next to no time.
Zinedine Zidane, who departed the club after Champions League glory at the end of the 2018/19 season, returned to his beloved club for his second stint as manager in order to steady the ship and kick-start a new era.
Benzema was one of the only bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season for the record European Champions, leading from the front as he took on the reins as the team's talisman after Cristiano's departure.
His tally of 21 league goals last season was second only to Lionel Messi and the Frenchman at times was the lone warrior as his teammates failed to provide him with any kind of support.
Real Madrid are amidst an ongoing spending-spree in the transfer market, shelling out in the excess of £300 million on the likes of Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes as they look to compete on all fronts next season.
Benzema is reported to be one of Zidane's most trusted players and after his exploits last season, he could go on to have an even bigger impact this season with better quality around him.
