Karim Benzema equalled an impressive Champions League record by scoring twice in Real Madrid’s 6-0 defeat of Galatasaray on Wednesday.
The Frenchman netted in either half to become only the second player after Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons.
It also meant he took his tally of European goals to 50 for Real Madrid since joining from Lyon in 2009, and gives him 62 Champions League goals in total, putting him fourth on the list of the competition’s all-time scorers behind Cristiano Ronaldo (127), Messi (113) and Raul (71).
The 31-year-old, who first scored in this competition aged just 17 against Rosenborg in 2005, remained humble and insisted he was not a legend.
“We scored goals, played well and did not concede. It was a real party with the fans,” Benzema told the club’s website.
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“I am no legend. When I signed for the club I never thought I’d get to this point and I am so happy.
“I try to help the team and be at my best, I want to continue to help. I feel very confident, if I can help my team-mates by talking to them out there, then I will, that is down to my experience in this club.”
Benzema has won the Champions League on four occasions and netted in the 2018 final victory against Liverpool.
However, his exploits against the Turkish side were slightly overshadowed by the performance of Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes, who netted a perfect hat-trick and also assisted Benzema for his first goal of the evening.