Karim Benzema has been lavished with praise by pundits ahead of his Real Madrid side’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.
The Spanish giants host the Blues at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night in their European quarter-final second leg leading 3-1 on aggregate thanks to Benzema’s magnificent hat-trick in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.
And pundit Rio Ferdinand insisted on BT Sport that he knew the Frenchman was a top-level player very soon after they played against each other for the first time.
The former Manchester United star also claimed the Red Devils were very close to signing Benzema, and said he was the one player legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be most gutted about missing out on.
Pundits have labelled Karim Benzema ‘extraordinary’ ahead of his side’s clash against Chelsea
The Real Madrid star scored a hat-trick in last week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg
He said: ‘When I played against him I realised immediately he was a top level player.
‘Benzema is one of the players Sir Alex will be most gutted he didn’t get. I thought it (a transfer to United) was going to happen.’
Fellow pundit Steve McManaman added: ‘People across Europe are really starting to view him (as a great player).
‘He’s not just a good finisher, he’s an extraordinary football player.’
Iconic former Red Devils star Rio Ferdinand claimed Manchester United once nearly signed Benzema and he was the one Sir Alex Ferguson (left) will be most upset about missing out on
Ferdinand, above, was speaking on BT Sport
Former Chelsea attacking midfielder Joe Cole continued the praise, saying: ‘The levels this lad is hitting are unbelievable.
‘Him and (midfielder Luka) Modric have been almost a decade together and they know each other so well. He’s just a joy to watch.’
And Ferdinand concluded that Benzema, 34, is using his experience to help young team-mate Vinicius Junior, 21, perform well this season.
He added: ‘He’s got no better example than Benzema.
‘Benzema’s taken him under his wing. They’ve got a relationship now.’
