34-year old Karim Benzema has found form at the most unusual ages for a football player. The Real Madrid forward scored his second hattrick in the Champions League 2021-22 season to defeat Chelsea 1-3 in London.
A very poignant fact about Thursday's hattrick by Benzema was that he had broken his Ramadan fast just 15-20 minutes before the kickoff. “It (fasting) has no impact. Ramadan is part of my life and my religion makes Ramadan an obligation,” Benzema told Esquire Magazine on Tuesday.
Benzema scored two superb headers in the 21st and 24th minute to take Madrid ahead 2-0. Later, he made sure to extend Real Madrid's lead by scoring his third goal, post a mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper, Mendy. Kai Havertz scored the only goal for Chelsea in the 40th minute.
Speaking to Esquire, Benzema had said, “For me, it is very important and I feel good when I fast." Netizens lauded the Los Blancos captain for his commitment to the UCL game, despite fasting for an entire day.
Benzema now has 37 goals in 36 games in this season. He is one of the main reasons for Real Madrid to be at the top of La Liga and Champions League this season. With a two-goal advantage going to Bernabeu, Real Madrid will be fancying their chances to enter the semi-final of this year's UCL.
WATCH: Karim Benzema's Hattrick Against Chelsea
They have beaten PSG in the round of 16 to enter the QF. The next leg between Chelsea and Madrid will be played on April 13, 2022, at 12:30 am IST.