Karim Benzema Ranks Himself Among the Three Greatest Strikers of All Time and Picks No. 1

Karim Benzema’s career speaks for itself. A Ballon d’Or winner, five-time Champions League champion, the second-highest scorer in Real Madrid history, and a key figure for more than a decade at one of the most demanding clubs in the world.

So when he was directly asked where he believes he belongs among the greatest strikers of all time, the Frenchman did not resort to false modesty.

Benzema considers himself one of the three best.

However, when it came time to choose No. 1, there was one name he placed above his own: Ronaldo Nazário.

Benzema Has No Doubts About His Place in History

The interesting exchange took place during an appearance for EWC, where the French striker was progressively asked to narrow down the group of players he believed he deserved to be part of.

Among the 50 greatest strikers of all time? Yes.

Top 40? Yes again.

The list continued to shrink: 30, 20, 10 and five. Benzema’s answer never changed. Finally came the big question: Does he consider himself one of the three greatest strikers soccer has ever seen?

Once again, yes.

The exchange, shared by EWC and subsequently picked up by several European outlets, quickly sparked a debate over where the Frenchman belongs among the greatest forwards of all time.

And he certainly has the résumé to support his case.

His time with Real Madrid ended with 354 goals in 648 appearances, leaving him behind only Cristiano Ronaldo among the club’s all-time leading scorers. But reducing his impact to goals alone would not fully explain what he represented in Madrid.

For years, he was the striker who connected the attack, created space, and made those around him better. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, he finally took complete control of the attacking responsibility and reached the peak of his career in 2022.

That year, he won the Ballon d’Or.

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For Benzema, Ronaldo Nazário Will Always Be No. 1

There was only one question that made the Frenchman change his answer.

Is Karim Benzema the greatest striker of all time?

No.

For him, that distinction belongs to Ronaldo Nazário.

The Brazilian has been one of Benzema’s biggest soccer references for years, so his choice should not come as much of a surprise. When asked to put one name at the very top of his personal ranking, he chose R9.

What is perhaps more interesting is what he left unanswered.

If Ronaldo occupies the top spot and Benzema considers himself part of the Top 3, there is still the question of who completes the podium and, more importantly, exactly where the Frenchman places himself.

Several legendary names from different generations could enter that conversation, although Benzema stopped short of putting together a complete ranking.

A Legacy Built at Real Madrid

The debate also provides an opportunity to put into perspective a career that, for many years, was defined by Benzema’s ability to adapt.

Benzema joined Real Madrid from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009 and ultimately spent 14 seasons with the Spanish club.

He won the Champions League five times, lifted four LaLiga titles, and collected numerous other trophies before leaving Madrid in 2023 for Saudi soccer.

His greatest individual form arrived during the final stretch of his time in Spain. The 2021-22 season turned him into the undisputed leader of a Real Madrid side that produced one of the most memorable European campaigns in club history before lifting the Champions League trophy.

Months later, he received the 2022 Ballon d’Or, the individual recognition that took his legacy to another level.

Benzema Is Not Ready to Say Goodbye to Soccer Yet

The conversation surrounding his legacy also comes at an interesting point in his career.

At 38, Benzema is currently without a club after bringing his time with Al-Hilal to an end. The Saudi club confirmed on August 31 that both parties had mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

His future remains undecided. The Frenchman has received options to continue his career and, for now, has not closed the door on playing again.

Perhaps that makes it even more interesting to hear him discuss his place in soccer history when, technically, his career is not over yet.

Benzema did not proclaim himself the greatest.

But he did not hide what he thinks about his legacy either.

In his own ranking, he belongs among the three greatest strikers soccer has ever seen.

Above him, at least one: Ronaldo Nazário.