Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has branded Los Blancos centre-forward Karim Benzema "a real team player".

Benzema only scored 11 goals in La Liga during the 2016-17 season, before netting just five times in the league last term.

Zidane kept faith with the experienced striker, however, and he played a key role in Madrid landing three straight Champions League titles, in addition to the La Liga trophy in 2017.

The manager left the Bernabeu at the end of last season, but has spoken of the importance of Benzema, who has been the subject of criticism over the last couple of years.

"Karim was important for the balance of the side in terms of how I wanted the team to attack. He helped to implement our possession game by playing his teammates in. He makes himself available and is a real team player," Zidane told UEFA.

Benzema has started the 2018-19 campaign in impressive scoring form under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, managing five goals in four appearances in all competitions.