Posted by Karim Benzema, the captain of Real Madrid, has said that when Cristiano Ronaldo departed the team, “the urge to be greater entered my thoughts.”
In 2009, Ronaldo relocated from Manchester United to Real Madrid for a then-record £80 million transfer price.
But in 2018, the 37-year-old moved on to Juventus.
Since then, Benzema has been known as Madrid’s patron saint.
The 34-year-old was announced as the Ballon d’Or winner for 2022 on Monday.
It followed a season in which Benzema scored 44 goals for LaLiga and Winners League champions.
Regarding Ronaldo, Benzema said to Onda Cero:
“Playing with him was an honor; he’s a beast.
“The need to be greater entered my mind the day he departed.”