IT is a rarity that you can trawl through the European transfer gossip rumours each day and not find Real Madrid linked with one forward or another.
The pursuit by Los Blancos of the next superstar to be unveiled performing keepy-uppies in front of an adoring Bernabeau faithful in high-summer, with a suitably satisfied Real President smiling on is a sight we have become familiar with.
Often these players can fall in and out of favour relatively quickly - just ask Gareth Bale.
However one has not only managed to keep himself relatively under the radar, but achieved a longevity at Los Blancos that would be the envy of many. That is Frenchman Karim Benzema. And once again this weekend, it was he who delivered, taking centre stage in a sodden El Classico on Saturday night to see Real past bitter rivals, Barcelona.
Benzema broke the deadlock with a sublime near-post flick - his ninth goal in his past seven La Liga games. Real doubled their lead before half-time through Toni Kroos' deflected free-kick.
Oscar Mingueza pulled one back for Barca before Madrid's Casemiro was shown a late red card.
Barca midfielder Ilaix Moriba's well-struck shot came back off the crossbar in stoppage time as the hosts held on.
The result took Real above city rivals Atletico Madrid because of their superior head-to-head record.
Zidane's "every game is a final" mantra has served Real well in recent weeks - they had dropped only four points in their previous nine La Liga outings going into Saturday's crucial game.
Benzema's goals have been crucial in helping them reduce the gap to rivals Atletico at the top of the table, and the Frenchman produced another exquisite finish to give Zidane's side an early lead.
The 33-year-old was first to Lucas Vazquez's low cross towards the near post, squeezing a backheeled flick past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. It was his 25th goal in 35 appearances this season.
Vinicius Junior was denied by the post as Real threatened to restore their two-goal advantage, before Lionel Messi - who had rattled the woodwork in the first half with an inswinging corner - struck the wall from a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said: "I feel very happy. We started the game very well. It was a very complicated match overall, but it was a deserved victory.
"I think we could have scored a third goal, but it's an important win. We did our job today."
Benzema has won 13 trophies, including three La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, and four UEFA Champions League titles, and ranks as Real's fifth all-time top goalscorer, as well as their all-time top assist provider.
While at Real Madrid, Benzema has also been named French Player of the Year three times. It is not to say at all that his role with Madrid is under-estimated, but you feel when his time with Madrid is up, it is possible only then will the club and their fans truly realise what they had.
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