Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has hit back at his critics following his match-winning display in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzen.
The 30-year-old scored twice in the first half and in doing so became only the seventh player in the history of the club to surpass 200 goals, joining an all-star list of names including Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano and Raul.
Madrid have endured a difficult start to the 2018-19 campaign, falling seven points behind in the Liga title race and struggling to find the back of the net on a regular basis, which ultimately cost Julen Lopetegui his job as manager.
Santiago Solari was appointed on an interim basis and he has overseen a quick turn around in fortunes as the European champions have won their last three games in all competitions.
Benzema has played a key role in that revival but he feels that he is judged unfairly by certain portions of the media, as he expressed in an interview after his latest European outing.
"When I go out on the field I don't just want to score goals," the veteran centre-forward said.
"I want to give assists, play, score goals... what a striker does.
"It's always the same but I play football to make history and sometimes people don't understand what I do on the pitch.
"But it doesn't bother me anymore because I'm 30 years old, I have children and I don't think about these things."
Benzema went on to praise Solari for his immediate impact on the team, endorsing him to continue in his role as head coach until at least the end of the season.
"Sure, why not, we're fine with him," he continued.
"I don't see a coach coming for one or two months, so fo,r me Solari has to stay until the end of the season at least.
"He is a great coach, we now have more confidence and we are going to compete."
Next up for Los Blancos is a trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday in La Liga, where a win could see Solari's men move into the top five and close the gap on leaders Barcelona.
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