“Is Benzema really the greatest?”

Is Karim Benzema the greatest striker in French history? This is the title of L’Equipe on his cover today in which he asked several legends of the French team if the Real Madrid striker is one of the best strikers in the history of French football. Although there is diversity, the prestigious French newspaper has analyzed a series of data that highlights the great performance of the international with Les Bleus.

Jean-Pierre Papin: “Benzema is the best of his generation, I like his definition, his way of participating in the actions of his team and the creation he has. He is not in Madrid just to score goals. His longevity in Madrid is spectacular. He has imposed on a team where it is not easy to adapt. His style of playing in the service of Cristiano Ronaldo has evolved. When Benzema plays, he feels that he has something different from the other players. He is a scorer at all technical and physical levels. But for me, Lacombe is the greatest. “

Herve Revelli: “I don't know if Benzema is the best French striker in history. But he's a very complete forward. When I was in my time, I liked, in addition to scoring, to make decisive passes but that was not valued. Benzema does the same. He does the same. he makes his teammates play and he scores. To play like this you have to be in perfect physical condition. For me, he's the best French striker. “

Stépahen Guivarc’h: “Zidane was a great player and when he talks about Benzema he knows a lot. Benzema has become indispensable to Real Madrid for a long time. He should be in the French team. But we cannot blame Deschamps at all, because he is world champion. From my top 3, I would put Henry in the first place, he is the best forward in France and his career at Arsenal was immense. I put Giroud in second place. And Papin third. “

Dominique Rocheteau: “Did Zidane say that Benzema is the best French striker in history? Normal, he is his coach. I put Benzema in the top 5, at the level of Lacombe but he is not the best. He is a great forward who has been successful in the Real Madrid. It all depends on the criteria we use, whether we say attacker or center forward. For me, the greatest was Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in a World Cup, although it was in another era. Jean-Pierre Papin was the only French striker to win the Ballon d'Or, and he played for a French team, for me he is 2nd. And Henry is the greatest attacker in French football, although he was not a 9 “.

Yannick Stopyra: “For me the best is Bernard Lacombe. He didn't have enormous athletic ability, but he had great game intelligence. For me, if you put Lacombe in Real Madrid, he would have had the same titles as Benzema, and that he won the 1984 Euro Cup. It would put Benzema in second place and Henry behind. “

Bernard Lacombe: “I had him on the phone yesterday and I told him that he was not realizing what he was doing in the greatest team in the world. He is 33 years old and continues to perform, proof that he is a great professional. Benzema has all the qualities of a other center forwards like Henry or Papin. The one who most resembles Benzema and is not on the list of the greatest is David Trezeguet. If he were world champion, we would not wonder if Benzema is the greatest in history in France ” .