Real Madrid President backs the Frenchman

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has come in for some criticism from former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker, but Florentino Perez has backed the Frenchman and believes that there is no other striker who would suit Los Blancos more than him.

The spat began following Real's Champions League tie against Tottenham Hotspur where Lineker believed that Benzema should have scored a couple of the chances he had, before pointing to his goalscoring record; unaware of the almost telepathic relationship the striker enjoys with Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Benzema's been here for eight years and this is his ninth season," Perez said to El Partidazo de Cope.

"He is demanding and loyal, there is no need to worry."

Perez is keen to stick up for the 29-year-old and is full of praise for his style of play.

"I don't mind what Lineker said, I don't care," he continued.

"What happens is that people judge Benzema just on the amount of goals he scores.

"Against Eibar, he came on and provided us with a footballing masterpiece in the goal for Marcelo.

"I always say that Benzema is a cross between Zidane and Ronaldo Nazario.

"He scores goals like Ronaldo and has the touch of Zidane; he is a luxury."

The Real president also discussed Marcelo's goal in further detail.

"After the game against Eibar, there are people who called me and said: But how can you criticise Benzema?" he said.

"That Marcelo goal is spectacular, but especially for the part of the Frenchman.

"To those who believe that Benzema is a different type of player, I tell them to go and watch the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid and see the dribble that took three players away from the game, before providing the assist for Isco."