In the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals, the 34-year-old Benzema contributed 1 pass and 1 shot to help Real Madrid finally defeat Manchester City 6-5 to advance to the final after falling behind 5-3 on aggregate at home.
Remember that after the results of the Champions League round of 16 draw came out, everyone thought that Real Madrid was going to be blown up by Paris. As a result, Benzema wore a hat at the Bernabeu for 17 minutes to help Real Madrid reverse the magic of Paris 3-2 on aggregate to advance.
Facing defending champions Chelsea in the quarter-finals, Benzema finished wearing the hat at Stamford Bridge, and everyone thought that Real Madrid was going to pass easily. As a result, Real Madrid were scored three goals by Chelsea at the Bernabeu, and the aggregate score instantly went from 3-1 to 3-4 behind. In the end, Real Madrid dragged into extra time with Rodrigo's equalizer, and Benzema set a foot in extra time, and finally Real Madrid passed the game 5-4 on aggregate.
In the semi-finals against Manchester City, Real Madrid lost 73 minutes in the second leg, trailing 3-5 on aggregate, and everyone thought that the Bernabeu would not have any more miracles. As a result, it was Rodrigo who equalized and dragged in extra time, and Benzema scored a goal in overtime to help Real Madrid reverse Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate.
Benzema has scored 10 goals in the last five Champions League knockout matches and has equaled the single-season Champions League knockout record set by Cristiano Ronaldo. His Champions League goals this season also rose to 15, basically locking in the Champions League Golden Boot while also equaling Levan's personal single-season Champions League goal record.
In just 56 days, Benzema went completely insane in the Champions League knockout rounds: 10 goals in 5 games, wearing a hat in 2 consecutive games, and 3 times at the Bernabeu Savior. After Bayern and Manchester City were out, Levan and De Bruyne also withdrew from the Ballon d'Or competition, leaving Only Salah and Mane for Benzema.
From the perspective of personal data, Benzema undoubtedly wants to beat Salah and Mane. Benzema has 43 goals and 14 assists in 43 games in all competitions this season and is likely to win the Champions League Golden Boot, La Liga Golden Boot and La Liga assists. In terms of club honours, he already has a La Liga title in hand, as long as Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final, the Ballon d'Or award will definitely be Benzema's.
If Liverpool beat Real Madrid to win the Champions League, the Ballon d'Or selection will be a bit difficult. Salah now also has 30 goals and 15 assists in hand, and while Mane has only 21 goals and three assists, he has one more Africa Cup of Nations title than Salah. Don't forget, Liverpool now have the opportunity to attack the quadruple crown, and if the Ballon d'Or is not awarded to the hero of the quadruple crown, then the controversy will be big.
Besides, even if Liverpool only won the Champions League in the last 3 titles, Mane has 3 titles in hand, and coupled with his supernatural performance in the semi-finals of three competitions, he is certainly worthy of the Ballon d'Or.