Karim Benzema is possibly the most in-form footballer in Europe right now. The French centre-forward is on fire, lethal in the final third both with Real Madrid and the French national team.

The former are top of La Liga at the time of writing while the latter just tasted success in the Nations League, beating La Roja in the final at San Siro.

Benzema has nine goals and seven assists to his name in eight league appearances for Madrid, the kind of numbers usually reserved only for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benzema has stepped up to the plate at the Santiago Bernabeu since the latter departed in the summer of 2018, and now that Messi is in France with Paris Saint-Germain he’s become, arguably, the face of domestic Spanish football.

Last season he scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in La Liga, numbers he’s on course to breaking based on his trajectory so far in 2021/22.

The prospect of Kylian Mbappe, his compatriot and partner-in-crime with the French national team, joining him at Madrid this coming summer has excited many connected with the club. Is Benzema himself excited by the idea of joining forces with him?

“I enjoy playing with him in the national team and in the future, why not? He’s a great player, but you have to respect PSG,” he said in comments carried by Marca. “I’ve always said it and I’ll say it again; I hope we play together some day.”

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
NHL approves sale, relocation of Arizona Coyotes
Eastern and Western Conference play-in teams' odds to advance take hit with brutal injuries
NFL decides fate of five players suspended for gambling
Injured Rangers ace ahead of schedule in rehab efforts
Penguins' Sidney Crosby addresses retirement, contract chatter
Warriors 'want' Klay Thompson back with team next season
Bill Belichick says he’s only coached one rookie who was NFL-ready from Day 1
Giants GM addresses Daniel Jones 'buyer’s remorse' report
76ers big man gives Knicks bulletin-board material ahead of first-round matchup
Yankees star joins elite company after latest feat
Watch: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon puts exclamation point on historic season
Aroldis Chapman suspended by MLB over brief exchange with umpire
Packers make important roster move just days before 2024 NFL Draft
Steelers' Russell Wilson blasted by Super Bowl champion: 'You were along for the ride' for championship
Former GM eviscerates Falcons brass for passing on Bill Belichick
Yankees' Juan Soto reportedly eyeing 'bidding war' between two teams
Mike Trout makes his thoughts on a trade from Angels abundantly clear
Former White Sox All-Star critical of time with the club
Deion Sanders denies restricting Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter to six NFL teams
Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard declares for NBA Draft, creating hole in backcourt

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.