It has not been an easy season for Karim Benzema, and while Real Madrid still think highly of him, maybe Los Blancos will need to think about a replacement sooner than later due to the footballer's frequent injury problems.

The French striker has already been ruled out of the team's upcoming clash against Espanyol due to an ankle problem, as per the team's medical report. Since it would take a miracle to see Benzema recovering on time for that game, all the efforts by the team's doctors will focus on having him ready for Liverpool's clash next week and, more importantly, for March 19's El Clásico. Nevertheless, the player's inner circle has told As that the player could also be ruled out of those big games.

This is the eighth injury problem Benzema has faced during the season, which has caused quite a problem for Carlo Ancelotti up front. All in all, the 2022 Ballon D'Or winner has been left out of 14 games, and as things stand, that number will only increase in the remaining months of this campaign.

Benzema's place against Espanyol could be handed to Rodrygo, who is also just returning to action after a calf problem. Other options up front could include Vinicius and even Marco Asensio or Eden Hazard, but sources close to Real Madrid believe that the Belgian will only be included in the squad and not in the starting lineup against Los Periquitos.