Ballon d'Or favourite Karim Benzema claims Cristiano Ronaldo departure meant he 'could do more' for Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has suggested that he feels he was able to take his game to another level after Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid. Ronaldo spent nearly a decade in the Spanish capital as the club's undisputed star, with Benzema a perfect front-three foil. Ad Yet since the Portuguese forward departed for Juventus in 2018, Benzema has further elevated his individual game, producing arguably his four best seasons at the club.

Transfers'No doubt' — Man Utd should have re-signed Welbeck this summer, says Ferdinand11 HOURS AGO The favourite for the 2022 Ballon d'Or, the French striker's 44 goals powered Carlo Ancelotti's side to La Liga and Champions League triumph last season. Ahead of the UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki, Benzema hailed the impact of his former team mate on his career, but admitted his personal «ambitions» changed when Ronaldo left the club. “It’s been different for me since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid," Benzema explained.

When is the 2022 Ballon d'Or shortlist announced? ‘Scandal if Benzema doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or’ – Former Man Utd star Saha ‘No doubt Benzema should win Ballon d’Or’ says Hazard “It’s true that I’ve scored many more goals, but when Cristiano was here, we had a different style of play, I was providing more assists. He really helped me on and off the pitch. “But at that time, I did know that I could do more and when he left, it was the time to change my game, change my ambitions and I am doing that well at the moment.” Benzema and Ronaldo joined the club in the summer of 2009, and spent nine seasons alongside one another.