UEFA Super Cup 2018: Four players who could help Real Madrid retain the trophy

Real Madrid are the defending European champions
Real Madrid are the defending European champions

#2 Karim Benzema

Real Madrid v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Benzema will spearhead Real Madrid's attack

Much maligned in recent seasons due to his low returns in terms of goalscoring, Karim Benzema always divides opinion. However, with Ronaldo having left the club, the French-international would be the one Real Madrid would turn to for leading the line.

The 30-year-old French striker will definitely spearhead the Real attack, after nine seasons of playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo.

A supremely technical player, whose excellent link-up and hold-up play means he always remains a threat to all defences. In fact, Atletico have had the first-hand experience of this, following his superb close control dribble, which took out three defenders and opened up space for the Frenchman to tee up Isco to score in the second leg of their 4-2 aggregate victory in the 2017 Champions League semi-final.

Karim Benzema was signed in 2009 as a youngster with a burgeoning goalscoring reputation, but over the next nine seasons somewhat failed to live up to his early promise largely thanks to Ronaldo's presence.

Now in the absence of the iconic Portuguese, the Frenchman has a chance to show the world what he is truly made of, and Atletico would have to keep a close eye on him.

Quick Links