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Zinedine Zidane pays tribute to Karim Benzema

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane brands Los Blancos centre-forward Karim Benzema "a real team player".

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has branded Los Blancos centre-forward Karim Benzema "a real team player".

Benzema only scored 11 goals in La Liga during the 2016-17 season, before netting just five times in the league last term.

Zidane kept faith with the experienced striker, however, and he played a key role in Madrid landing three straight Champions League titles, in addition to the La Liga trophy in 2017.

The manager left the Bernabeu at the end of last season, but has spoken of the importance of Benzema, who has been the subject of criticism over the last couple of years.

"Karim was important for the balance of the side in terms of how I wanted the team to attack. He helped to implement our possession game by playing his teammates in. He makes himself available and is a real team player," Zidane told UEFA.

Benzema has started the 2018-19 campaign in impressive scoring form under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, managing five goals in four appearances in all competitions.

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Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates scoring during his side's La Liga clash with Girona on August 26, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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