Brilliant Benzema playing instrumental role in Real Madrid's revival under Santiago Solari

Karim Benzema is a player transformed. The French forward has excelled since the arrival of Santiago Solari as coach and has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s revival over the past four matches.

The 30-year-old has divided opinion ever since the start at the Santiago Bernabeu, yet his longevity at one of the world’s most demanding clubs speaks volumes for his quality. He arrived in 2009 and nine years on, he is playing perhaps his finest football in that time.

The former Lyon striker scored the first goal in Solari’s spell as coach, netting the opener against Melilla in the Copa del Rey late last month. Amazingly, he had also struck the first goal in the tenures of Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane and Julen Lopetegui.

Benzema impressed in the early promise of Lopetegui’s side, before the entire team dropped off and the Basque was sacked after just 14 games. But now, with Solari in charge, he is revitalised.

Against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, he scored twice – including one wonderful effort as he ghosted past several defenders in the area before slotting through the goalkeeper's legs.

“I play football to make history,” he said afterwards. “Some people don’t understand what I do on the pitch. But I’m here to help my team-mates.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will be testament to that. The Portuguese adored playing with the Frenchman, due to the unselfish nature of his play. Benzema was happy to take a back seat and assume the role of a domestique for his goal-hungry team-mate. But with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner no longer around, the 30-year-old is much more of a protagonist these days.

“Benzema is exceptional,” Solari said earlier this month and after his two goals against Viktoria Plzen, the French forward opened the scoring on Sunday in spectacular style.

The 30-year-old ran onto a Luka Modric pass, swiveled to make space and prodded a low shot past Celta Vigo goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez in one movement. It was a special strike, made to look easy by a player with super skills.

In the second half, Benzema made Madrid’s second - en route to a 4-2 win - as he beat two defenders and blasted a shot against the inside of the post, which rebounded off Gustavo Cabral and went in. It went down as an own goal, but it had been all about the Frenchman’s fine play.

The striker now has 10 goals in 18 appearances this term and would have a few more if Sergio Ramos let him take the penalties. In any case, it is a positive return and already close to his 12 strikes in the whole of last season.

Under Solari, he has four in as many matches and it is no wonder the striker called for the Argentine to be kept on until the end of the season when he spoke after the Champions League win in the Czech Republic.

Benzema has been vital in Real’s renaissance under Solari and Sunday’s win saw Madrid close to within four points of leaders Barcelona in La Liga after their defeat at home to Betis earlier in the day.

The Frenchman is a player reborn in a team reignited. And Real Madrid fans will hope it is the start of something special again after a complicated few weeks for the club.