Real Madrid Frenchman has scored in 13 consecutive seasons

It's fair to say that the 2017/18 season has been a difficult one for Karim Benzema thus far, but despite facing intense criticism from various pundits and his own supporters the Frenchman actually stands alongside Lionel Messi with a particular Champions League statistic.

Following his two goal haul against APOEL on Tuesday, the former Lyon forward became only the second player to have scored in the Champions League in 13 consecutive seasons.

Four of those came with the French club, whilst his Los Blancos career has seen him play nine different Champions League campaigns.

Given the scrutiny he has been under it came as little surprise when the forward made public mention of the statistic on his social media pages on Wednesday.

Messi's Champions League record stood alone from the 2005/06 as Cristiano Ronaldo's first with Manchester United doesn't count because it came in the preliminary play-off.

Ryan Giggs managed to score at least one Champions League goal in 16 different tournaments, however he didn't achieve this in consecutive seasons.

Benzema is the tournament's fifth highest scorer of all-time; only surpassed by Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Raul, Messi and Ronaldo.