If Karim Benzema did not play for Real Madrid, fans of Manchester City would have booked their flights to Paris by now.
Benzema kept his team in their Champions League semi-final, just as he has propelled them to dominate La Liga this year.
The wonderful images of the amiable Carlo Ancelotti puffing on a large cigar as he celebrated Real Madrid's title are a result of Benzema's remarkable form: 29 league starts, 26 goals, to go with 10 European starts and 14 goals.
Including his performances for France, Benzema has scored 47 times this season.