3 ways Ronaldo's departure has benefited Real Madrid

#2 Reemphasizing that Benzema is no longer an elite striker

Benzema has struggled to lead the line for Real Madrid

Real Madrid has earned a reputation in recent years as one of the most lethal attacking sides, and once achieved a joint-record of going 73 matches in which they scored consecutively, so it comes as a major surprise that less than 18 months later, the club finds itself struggling for goals.

Recently, the team embarked on the longest goalless drought in over 30 years when the club went 465 minutes (almost eight hours) without scoring a goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo departed Real Madrid as the club’s all-time record goalscorer, with over a goal a game ratio and the guarantee of at least 45+ goals every season, so it was expected that the club would struggle somewhat in his absence, as those numbers cannot be found anywhere else except in Barca (and Messi).

However, what was not expected was that the club’s attacking struggles would be this pronounced, or that Real would stick with Karim Benzema to be the club’s main striker.

The 31-year-old has come a long way from the highs of his early career and is right now washed up and undeserving of a starting spot in a club with the calibre of Real Madrid.

While Ronaldo was present at the club, it was easy to excuse Benzema’s profligacy, as it was believed that he sacrificed his goals for Ronaldo to take the spotlight, but the Portuguese’ departure has exposed this to be false and reemphasized the belief that Benzema does not have what it takes to lead the attacking line for Real Madrid.