Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario: Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazário are two of the greatest strikers in football history, but they are very different.
Benzema is known for his technical skills and versatility. He can create something special out of nothing and make it count. His ability to adapt is clear, from playing as a supporting forward when Cristiano Ronaldo was at Real Madrid to becoming the main striker in 2018.
Benzema has been consistently successful, winning five UEFA Champions League titles, several domestic league trophies, and the Ballon d’Or in 2022. He is also Real Madrid’s second all-time goal scorer and top assist provider.
Ronaldo Nazário, known as ‘The Phenomenon,’ completely changed the role of a striker. He brought speed, strength, and technical brilliance.
Ronaldo was a powerful dribbler and had a finishing touch that made him one of the best strikers ever. He influenced many strikers that followed him. Despite facing injuries, he had a remarkable career with two Ballon d’Ors, three FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and two World Cup titles (1994, 2002). His transfer records and success at clubs Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid show his incredible talent.
Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
In this article, we compare the stats of Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazário to decide who is the better footballer.
Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario All-Time Stats
Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazário are two of the best strikers in football history.
Benzema has played over 980 club matches, scoring 470+ goals and providing 165+ assists. He is Known for his versatility, both as a scorer and a creator, becoming Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer.
Ronaldo Nazário, with his incredible flair, played 715 matches and scored 416 goals. Despite injuries, he maintained a strong goal-scoring rate of 0.68 goals per game.
Here are Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazario All-Time Stats.
| TOTALS | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 981 | 715 |
| Goals | 478 | 416 |
| Ratio | 0.48 | 0.67 |
| Assists | 221 | 97 |
| Penalty | 42 | 11 |
| Free Kick | 3 | 5 |
| Hat Tricks | 11 | 4 |
| Trophies | 34 | 18 |
| Ballon d’Or | 1 | 2 |
| European Golden Shoe | – | 1 |
Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario Goals, Assists & Trophies at Club Level
Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazário were both very successful at the club level, with impressive goals, assists, and trophies.
Benzema scored over 440 goals and assisted 200+ times during his career, winning 25 trophies with Real Madrid, including five Champions League titles.
Ronaldo, despite injuries, scored 352 goals and had a great goals-per-game ratio in 558 matches. He won major trophies with Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, including two La Liga titles.
Benzema’s career is defined by consistency and versatility, and Ronaldo’s is remembered for his explosive talent and unforgettable moments.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 834 | 558 |
| Goals | 441 | 352 |
| Assists | 201 | 76 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 137′ | 120′ |
| Minutes Played | 60.481′ | 35.781′ |
| Trophies | 32 | 12 |
Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario Goals, Assists & Trophies at National Level
Benzema scored 37 goals and 20 assists in 97 appearances for France. He returned to play in UEFA Euro 2020, earning a Bronze Boot, and was part of the squad for the 2022 World Cup final but missed it due to injury. He retired from international football in 2022.
Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 99 appearances for Brazil. He won two World Cups (1994 and 2002), with 2002 being particularly memorable as he won the Golden Boot. He also won two Copa América titles and the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Benzema showed resilience for France, and Ronaldo became a global icon with legendary World Cup moments.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 97 | 99 |
| Goals | 37 | 62 |
| Assists | 20 | 31 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 172′ | 125′ |
| Minutes Played | 6.359′ | 7.773′ |
| Trophies | 2 | 6 |
Who’s More Impressive in the World Cup? Goals, Assists & Trophies
Looking at their World Cup histories, Ronaldo Nazário stands out with a much stronger legacy than Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo played in four World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006), scoring 15 goals and providing key assists in 19 matches. He won two World Cups (1994 and 2002), with his eight goals in 2002, including two in the final, earning him the Golden Boot.
Benzema, on the other hand, didn’t make much of an impact in the World Cup. He was injured during the 2018 World Cup, which France won, and banned for the 2022 World Cup, where France finished as runners-up.
Ronaldo’s World Cup success and key role in Brazil’s victories cement his status as one of the greatest World Cup players ever.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 5 | 19 |
| Goals | 3 | 15 |
| Assists | 2 | 5 |
| Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 150′ | 108′ |
| Minutes Played | 450′ | 1.624′ |
| World Cup | – | 2 |
Who’s More Impressive in EURO/COPA AMERICA? Goals, Assists & Trophies
Karim Benzema in the UEFA Euro and Ronaldo Nazário in the Copa América had different impacts, with Ronaldo having the stronger record.
Ronaldo played in two Copa América tournaments (1997 and 1999), scoring 10 goals, including 5 in 1997 when he was named Player of the Tournament and 5 in 1999 when he won the Golden Boot. His goals and assists were key in Brazil’s two Copa América victories.
Benzema, despite his efforts, didn’t have as much impact in the UEFA Euro. He played in two tournaments (2008 and 2020), scoring 4 goals in 2020. France was eliminated in the Round of 16, and Benzema never won a European title.
Ronaldo’s two Copa América titles, along with his goals and awards, make his continental success more impressive than Benzema’s record in the Euro.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 10 | 13 |
| Goals | 4 | 10 |
| Assists | 2 | 4 |
| Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 216′ | 101′ |
| Minutes Played | 863′ | 1.007′ |
| EURO/COPA AMERICA | – | 2 |
Who’s More Impressive in Champions League? Goals, Assists & Trophies
Karim Benzema has been much more successful than Ronaldo Nazário in the UEFA Champions League.
Benzema scored 70 goals and provided 32 assists, winning 5 titles with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022), including a standout performance in 2022 as top scorer. After Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018, Benzema became the team’s main attacking leader.
Ronaldo Nazário, on the other hand, won the Champions League only once in 2002 with Real Madrid, scoring 14 goals and 4 assists. Injuries affected his consistency in the competition.
Benzema’s impact in the Champions League is far greater than Ronaldo’s.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 152 | 40 |
| Goals | 90 | 14 |
| Assists | 30 | 9 |
| Penalty | 3 | 1 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 124′ | 208′ |
| Minutes Played | 11.123′ | 2.911′ |
| Champions League | 5 | – |
Who’s More Impressive in La Liga? Goals, Assists & Trophies
Karim Benzema has a more successful Champions League career than Ronaldo Nazário. Benzema scored 70 goals, provided 32 assists, and won 5 titles with Real Madrid, playing a crucial role in their 2022 triumph.
Ronaldo, however, never won the Champions League and scored 14 goals with 4 assists, with injuries limiting his impact.
Benzema’s Champions League contributions far outshine Ronaldo’s.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 439 | 164 |
| Goals | 238 | 116 |
| Assists | 119 | 34 |
| Penalty | 25 | 8 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 135′ | 113′ |
| Minutes Played | 32.047′ | 13.136′ |
| La Liga | 4 | 1 |
Who’s More Impressive in Ligue 1/Serie A? Goals, Assists & Trophies
Benzema started his career in Ligue 1 with Lyon, scoring 43 goals in 112 appearances, and won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot in the 2007–08 season. He later moved to Real Madrid, where he became a star.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, never played in Ligue 1 but made his mark in Serie A with Inter Milan and AC Milan, scoring 58 goals in 88 appearances. Despite his talent, injuries limited his silverware, with only a UEFA Cup (1998) during his time at Inter.
Benzema dominated Ligue 1, while Ronaldo’s Serie A performances showed his immense talent despite a lack of major trophies.
| Stat | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 112 | 88 |
| Goals | 43 | 58 |
| Assists | 23 | 11 |
| Penalty | 3 | 15 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 166′ | 117′ |
| Minutes Played | 7.153′ | 6.768′ |
| Ligue 1/Serie A | 4 | – |
Who Has More Trophies? Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
Karim Benzema and Ronaldo Nazário are both football legends, but Benzema has a more decorated career.
Benzema has won 34 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and four Ligue 1 titles, along with a Ballon d’Or in 2022.
In comparison, Ronaldo Nazário won 18 trophies, including two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 2002), a UEFA Cup with Inter Milan, and domestic league titles in Spain and the Netherlands.
However, Ronaldo’s career was hampered by injuries and moves between clubs, limiting his silverware. Benzema’s consistency and longevity, particularly at Real Madrid, have made him one of the most decorated players in football history.
| Competition | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 5 | – |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 5 | – |
| La Liga | 4 | 1 |
| Copa del Rey | 3 | 1 |
| Spanish Super Cup | 4 | – |
| UEFA Super Cup | 4 | – |
| Ligue 1 | 4 | – |
| Coupe de France | 1 | – |
| Champions Trophy | 2 | – |
| Brazil Cup | – | 1 |
| Minas Gerais Championship | – | 1 |
| KNVB Cup | – | 1 |
| King’s Cup | – | 1 |
| UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup | – | 1 |
| UEFA Cup | – | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup | – | 2 |
| Copa America | – | 2 |
| Intercontinental Cup | – | 1 |
| Paulista Championship | – | 1 |
| Brazil Cup | – | 1 |
| Olympic Bronze Medal | – | 1 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | – | 1 |
| UEFA European Under-17 Championship | 1 | – |
| UEFA Nations League | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 34 | 18 |
Who Has More Individual Awards? Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo Nazário is celebrated for his prime performances and unmatched individual brilliance.
Karim Benzema has earned impressive awards such as the 2022 Ballon d’Or, UEFA Champions League Player of the Season (2021-22), and Ligue 1 Player of the Year (2007-08), Ronaldo’s career is marked by two Ballon d’Or wins (1997, 2002), three FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and the Golden Boot at the 2002 World Cup.
| Awards | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player | 2 | 3 |
| Player of the Year | 5 | 1 |
| Ballon d’Or | 1 | 2 |
| European Golden Shoe | – | 1 |
| UEFA Best Player in Europe | 1 | 1 |
| Top Goalscorer | 6 | 6 |
| TM-Player of the season | 1 | – |
| Olympic Medalist | – | 1 |
| Footballer of the Year | 4 | 3 |
| Pichichi Trophy | 1 | 2 |
| FIFA Puskas Award | – | – |
| FIFA World Cup Golden Ball | – | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup Silver Ball | – | 1 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 21 |
Who Scores More Penalty Goals? Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
Karim Benzema has scored more penalty goals than Ronaldo Nazário, with 42 goals and a 79% success rate. Ronaldo, mainly known for his open play goals, scored just 11 penalties with a 73% success rate. Benzema’s higher total is due to his regular role as a penalty taker.
| Penalty | Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Penalty Taken | 53 | 15 |
| Total Penalty Scored | 42 | 11 |
| Total Penalty Missed | 11 | 4 |
| Success Rate | 79% | 73% |
Who Scores More Free Kick Goals? Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo Nazário scored around 39 free-kick goals in his career, and Karim Benzema has only scored about 3 free-kick goals.
| Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|
| 3 | 39 |
Who Has More Hat Tricks? Karim Benzema Vs Ronaldo Nazario
Karim Benzema has scored over 11 hat tricks in his career, while Ronaldo Nazário has achieved around 4 hat tricks.
| Benzema | Ronaldo (R9) |
|---|---|
| 11 | 4 |
Who’s the Better Passer?
Benzema is a better passer, excelling in playmaking, and Ronaldo focused more on goal-scoring.
Who’s the Best Dribbler?
Ronaldo Nazário is the better dribbler, known for his flair and speed, while Benzema uses dribbling more intelligently as part of his overall play.
Who Has the Best Heading Skills?
Karim Benzema is the better header, with strong aerial presence and precise timing, and Ronaldo Nazário was not as reliant on heading in his game.
Who Is Faster?
Ronaldo Nazário is faster, known for his explosive acceleration and top speed, while Benzema relies more on technical ability and positioning than raw speed.
Who’s the Ultimate Winner?
Ronaldo Nazário was more explosive and brilliant at his peak, changing the game with his extraordinary abilities. However, Karim Benzema has shown incredible longevity, consistency, and success, especially in recent years with Real Madrid. If we focus on peak performance, Ronaldo wins, but for overall career impact and adaptability, Benzema edges ahead. Both are legends, but it depends on whether you value raw brilliance or sustained excellence.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!