Karim Benzema scored three goals in less than seven minutes for Los Blancos in a La Liga game against Real Valladolid on Sunday
Karim Benzema celebrates one of his goals for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu in April 2023.
Karim Benzema's first-half hat-trick against Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday was the fastest achievement by a Real Madrid player in the competition since 1992.
After Rodrigo opened the scoring midway through the first half, Benzema scored in the 29th, 32nd and 36th minutes to give Real Madrid a 4-0 lead after halftime.
The French striker scored a hat-trick in a span of 6 minutes and 30 seconds, becoming the fastest hat-trick for a Real Madrid player in La Liga since Fernando Hierro scored three goals in six minutes for Los Blancos in the win. 7-0 against Espanyol in 1992.
Benzema scored the first with a header, before going past two and covering it with a fierce pass for number two and completing the hat-trick with a superb reverse bike kick. The 35-year-old now has 20 or more goals in an 11th season as a Real Madrid player, after hitting 22 goals during the season with a hat-trick against Valladolid.
He currently has a total of 345 goals for Los Blancos and is second only to former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo (450) in the club's all-time goalscorer list.
Benzema was replaced by Eden Hazard after 65 minutes and was cheered by Real Madrid fans as he left the field.
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Reported Man Utd target Ansu Fati celebrates goal with Jordi Alba
La Liga leaders FC Barcelona are 'likely' to accept a £90m offer for Ansu Fati amid interest from a host of Premier League clubs, including Man Utd.
Fati should have made 39 appearances in all competitions this season but was named in the starting XI only 12 times.
The player's father recently criticized Barcelona boss Xavi for the 20-year-old's lack of game time.
Bori Fati told Spanish radio station Cope:
"Ansu doesn't want to leave Barcelona but I want to see him succeed.
"I'm not going to the stadium anymore, I'm very angry with the club. In a month we will surely meet Jorge Mendes.
"I'm annoyed that Ansu has played so little. We're talking about a Spanish international from La Masia. He deserves so much more.
“I don't know why Xavi doesn't play Ansu. He must have his reasons. Ansu doesn't hate him because Xavi has always been his idol. But I... I'm very angry as a father.
"If it is my decision, I will leave Barcelona tomorrow. I told Ansu that if the situation does not change we must leave, but he told me I was wrong.
Xavi replied to Fati's father that he 'understands' his complaints.
"I have great confidence in Ansu Fati," he said. "I want him to be successful here.
“He is calm and focused. He trains very well. I understand your father, but I don't care.
“Ansu is only 20 years old. You have to be patient. At Barça, there is a lot of competition.
Fati started the match against Elche on Saturday, scoring his first La Liga goal since October in a 4-0 win. Xavi then said he 'trusts' Fati, who is 'delighted' for him after his goal.
The 20-year-old striker's lack of regular football has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs.
Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool have all been linked with Fati and there is certainly an opportunity to bring him back to Barcelona's financial situation. And now it is clear how much it will take to sign Fati from the La Liga giants.
According to Football Insider, Barcelona are willing to listen to offers of around £90 million.
This report adds Man City to the mix, saying Barca could offer Fati 'one of many' players at the end of the season.
Some clubs are in a state of 'red alert' after criticism from the player's father. Man Utd and Chelsea are said to be 'also monitoring the situation'. According to reports, if he received 'guarantee' of playing time at Camp Nou, Fati would prefer to stay at his current club.
Fati has four years left on his contract and has a release clause of up to £1 billion.
The Spain international suffered a serious knee injury in November 2020 and was unable to play regularly after returning.
He missed 305 days and 47 games before returning in September 2021.
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