What did Real Madrid’s Benzema say about returning from injury?

Karim Benzema says he’s “looking forward” to Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Osasuna this weekend, after the striker returned to training on Wednesday.

Benzema has missed Madrid’s last three games with a knee injury sustained in the side’s Champions League win over Celtic at the start of September, but is in contention to return to action at the Bernabéu on Sunday.

Benzema “feeling good” as striker eyes weekend return

“I’m pleased to be back with the team,” Benzema told Madrid’s official website. “It’s been some time and I’ve had time to do a pre-season. I’m feeling very good, comfortable. I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.

“I’ve been doing a lot of fitness work. I’ve not touched the ball. I’ve trained for the first time today. I did a lot of running and strength training inside the facilities over the past few days. I also worked out at home. I was a bit late back from my holidays and I didn’t have much time to do a good pre-season, which is why I’ve done it now and I feel very good”.

Praises “perfect” Real Madrid as winning run continues

Madrid maintained their 100% early-season record in Benzema’s absence, beating Real Mallorca, RB Leipzig and Atlético Madrid to make it nine wins out of nine in all competitions in 2022/23. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now two victories away from equalling the club’s best ever start to a season - a more than half-a-century-old record set under legendary head coach Miguel Muñoz in 1961/62 and 1968/69.

“The team looks very good to me, perfect,” Benzema said. “I’ve watched them win all their games [without me], scoring goals and showing their character. We’ve got a great team, although it could be said that we’ve got two teams. There’s no difference between those who start the game and those who come on. The team looks very good to me”.

Madrid sit top of LaLiga with a maximum 18 points, two clear of second-placed Barcelona.