Karim Benzema tops 2021/22 FedEx Performance Zone rankings

Karim Benzema has ended the campaign comfortably clear in the FedEx Performance Zone rankings after managing 15 goals and an assist in his 12 UEFA Champions League outings.

The Real Madrid striker was the top scorer in the competition this season and surged to the head of the rankings thanks to back-to-back hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages.

The 34-year-old talisman never looked back, scoring the decisive goal in the quarter-final return against the London club and then adding three in two games against Manchester City in the semi-finals to leave the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Salah trailing in the distance.

Which matches did Benzema score in during the 2021/22 Champions League?

Group stage, Matchday 2 – Real Madrid 1-2 Sheriff: 90 mins, ⚽ (65pen)
Group stage, Matchday 3 – Shakhtar Donetsk 0-5 Real Madrid: 90 mins, ⚽ (90+1)
Group stage, Matchday 4 – Real Madrid 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk: 78 mins, ⚽⚽ (14, 61)
Group stage, Matchday 5 – Sheriff 0-3 Real Madrid: 90 mins, ⚽ (55)
Round of 16, second leg – Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain: 90 mins, ⚽⚽⚽ (61, 76, 78)
Quarter-final, first leg – Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: 85 mins, ⚽⚽⚽ (21, 24, 46)
Quarter-final, second leg – Real Madrid 2-3aet Chelsea: 120 mins, ⚽ (96)
Semi-final, first leg – Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid: 90 mins, ⚽⚽ (33, 82pen)
Semi-final, second leg – Real Madrid 3-1aet Manchester City: 103 mins, ⚽ (95pen), 1 assist

How did Benzema score his goals in the 2021/22 Champions League?

Minutes: 1,106
Goals: 15
> Open play: 12, Penalties: 3
> Right foot: 11, Left foot: 1, Header: 3
> Inside area: 13, Outside area: 2
Assists: 1
Shots on target: 23
Shots off target: 13
Blocked shots: 9
Hit woodwork: 1

• Karim Benzema: All his 2021/22 stats
• The FedEx Performance Zone explained

How many goals did Benzema score in the 2021/22 season?

Benzema has been in the most prolific form of his career this term and ended the campaign with an astonishing 44 goals in 46 matches for Madrid in all competitions. Top scorer in the Spanish Liga with 27 goals – the highest total from any of his 13 seasons at Madrid – Benzema also struck twice in as many games in the Spanish Super Cup as the Merengues scooped both trophies.

His impact was not restricted to club level either, with the relentless marksman on target in both the UEFA Nations League semi-final and final as France won that competition. Three goals in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November also ensured he moved into the top five in the list of all-time top goalscorers for Les Bleus.