Carlo Ancelotti explains how Karim Benzema changed after Man United icon Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti says Karim Benzema has grown into a “leader” since Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Real Madrid in 2018.

The Frenchman was arguably always overshadowed by Ronaldo after both joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2009. The Portugal captain scored 450 goals in 438 games for Real to become the club’s all-time top scorer.

He picked up four of his five Ballon d’Ors while at Madrid while lifting four Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys. He moved to Juventus in 2018 before making a return to Manchester United last year.

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Since his departure from the Bernabeu four years ago, Benzema has flourished. He has scored an average of 33 goals a season since, and netted 44 times in last year’s Champions League and La Liga title-winning campaign.

His Madrid tally now stands at 238 goals in 615 appearances. Benzema was handed his maiden Ballon d’Or on Monday and Real boss Carlo Ancelotti hailed his character arc over the past few seasons.

"He's a player who has a lot more responsibility, he feels much more of a leader," he said of the club captain. "His quality has not changed, it's the same as it was eight years ago. But his responsibility to the team has changed, and his attitude. He's much more of a leader."

Benzema has played 154 games under Ancelotti throughout his career, scoring 95 times - only under Zinedine Zidane has he scored more (108).

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