Who is the greater number 9: Suarez or Benzema?
Two of the best strikers of their generation, but who should stand ahead of the other when ranking them?
Luis Suarez and Karim Benzema are widely regarded as two of the greatest strikers of their generation. Some even go as far as saying the greatest striker of all time for either of them, and they’re probably not wrong.
These two players have the accolades, trophies, statistic and as fans would say “eye test” to back up this claim. But at the end of the day, one must rank higher than the other, so who come out on top?
Trophies and Accolades
Benzema has won approximately 35+ career trophies across multiple clubs including 5 Champions League titles and 4 Laliga titles. In 2022, he also won the highest individual honour in football, the Ballon D’or. The Ballon D’or win is one of the accolades that confirms his position among football’s greatest.
Suarez on the other hand, has won 25+ career titles, winning 5 Laliga titles and 1 Champions League title. One of his most impressive feat was winning the Laliga with Atletico Madrid in 2020/2021 season after leaving Barcelona when the whole world thought he was finished.
Unlike Benzema who never won the European Golden Boot, Suarez won the Golden boot in 2014 and 2016 with Liverpool and Barcelona respectively.
Benzema with the Ballon D'or
Gianluigi Donnarumma's saves and debates
A look at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s career, achievements, and the controversies that follow his goalkeeping.
5 of The Most Complete Midfielders of the last 20 years
The most complete midfielders of this generation aren’t defined by goals or highlights, but by how they control games in every phase — defending, creating, and setting the tempo
Carrick or Solskjær: Who Can Fix Manchester United?
Michael Carrick is now Manchester United’s interim manager. His style or Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s attacking approach, which is better to help the team get back on top?
Tottenham are back to shake up the Premier League title race
Tottenham host Manchester City in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Aston Villa watching as the title picture could change.
Statistics
Benzema has over 500 career goals, including 354 for Real Madrid making him the second highest goal scorer in Madrid history while also simultaneously holding the record for the most assist in the club’s history.
His productivity increased significantly after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, proving that he could be the main threat and leader in the team.
Suarez reached 600 career goals with an astounding 290+ assists, extraordinary playmaking numbers for a striker. He was an efficient striker in front of goal, one of the most clinical this sport has ever seen.
His 2013/2014 Premier League campaign is one of the best in Premier League history.
Playstyle
Benzema was technically gifted. One of his standout abilities was his link-up play. He knows how to make the little passes in tight spaces combined with elite movement to get himself in front of goal.
He facilitated Ronaldo for years, and also combined well with Vinicius Jr after the departure Ronaldo.
Suarez is the textbook definition of a complete striker. Aggressive, clinical, stylish. He could shoot as well as he could dribble. On days where he wasn’t getting the goals himself, he knew how to pick out his teammates with beautiful passes.
His creativity and brilliance made the MSN era one of the most dominant in football history.
Suarez vs Pepe and Ramos
Check out other articles
Oliver Glasner and the truth behind the cup-coach label
Oliver Glasner’s cup success at Crystal Palace challenges the idea that he only thrives in knockout football, and reveals what his methods say about his personality and approach to coaching.
The Sacking Culture: Why Elite Football's Patience Has Run Out
Modern football management is increasingly defined by extreme impatience, with elite clubs sacking coaches after months rather than years.
Semenyo, City and the Phillips warning
Kalvin Phillips’ City struggle is a warning as Antoine Semenyo weighs a £65m move and a career defining choice.
Sir Alex Ferguson: The Manager Who Built an Empire
Sir Alex Ferguson is a legendary football manager who made Manchester United one of the most successful clubs in the world. He is remembered for winning trophies consistently and building great teams over many years.
Verdict
The decision to rank one of these two all time great rest on multiple factors. If it’s about the trophies and accolades, it’s Karim Benzema. The 5 Champions League and the Ballon D’or trophy supports that claim
If it’s about the goals, the creativity and the versatility of a player, your pick is Suarez. Two European golden boot, 600+ goals and 290+ assists is nearly enough to make any striker the GOAT.
Nevertheless, these two players any day anytime are two of the greatest number 9 to play the beautiful game.
Comments (0)
Latest Posts
The 2015/16 Warriors: The Greatest NBA team of all time
The 15/16 73-9 Golden State Warriors are the greatest NBA team of all time, not the 95/96 72-10 Bulls
Ronaldo vs Messi: career goals, trophies, Ballon d'Or wins and the GOAT debate
Cristiano Ronaldo reached 973 career goals winning the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. Lionel Messi has 910 goals, eight Ballon d'Ors and 46 trophies at Inter Miami. Here is the full GOAT breakdown as both men continue playing in 2026.
Vinicius Junior vs Kylian Mbappe: who is the best winger in the world right now?
Mbappe has 24 La Liga goals this season. Vinicius has 16 goals and 9 assists. Both play for Real Madrid, both play on the left, and both have a case. Here is a full breakdown of who wins the best winger debate in 2025-26.
The Rise of the New York Knicks: Do they have what it takes to win a championship?
The NY Knicks are proving they are ready to take the title back to MSG. Do they have what it takes?
David Raya vs Unai Simon: Why Spain's Best Goalkeeper Is Still on the Bench
David Raya has 21 clean sheets this season and is being called the best goalkeeper in the world in England. Unai Simon has seven. Spain are still going to the World Cup with Simon. Luis de la Fuente's reasoning, examined.
20 goals, no World Cup, and Barcelona knocking: Joao Pedro's Chelsea season deserves more
Carlo Ancelotti left Joao Pedro out of Brazil's World Cup squad despite the Chelsea striker scoring 20 goals in 49 games this season. With Barcelona's Deco making contact and Chelsea missing European football, here is a look at Pedro's campaign.
More from this Category
Hearts, the Scottish Premiership, and the cruelness of football
Hearts led the Scottish Premiership for 250 days and needed only a draw at Celtic Park on the final day to win their first league title in 60 years. Celtic's Daizen Maeda's 87th-minute goal ended it. Here's the story of one of football's cruelest endings, and the clubs who know exactly how it feels.
France's new Ligue 3 explained: What it is, how it works and why it matters
France's Championnat National becomes Ligue 3 from the 2026-27 season, making it the country's first fully professional third-tier league. Here is a full explainer on the format, governance, broadcast deal, salary cap and what changes for clubs below.
More from this Author
Why Game 7s Are the Ultimate Test of Greatness
Game 7s are the ultimate test of greatness because they put players under maximum pressure, where talent alone is not enough
The Rise and Fall of Juventus
Juventus rose to become one of Europe’s biggest clubs, dominated Italy for years, then faced scandals and struggles that tested their legacy.
Ranking the Top 5 Point Guards of All Time
The point guard position has evolved from traditional floor generals like Magic Johnson and John Stockton who orchestrated offenses through passing to modern revolutionaries like Stephen Curry who've transformed the role into a scoring-first weapon.
Try These Trivia
Only True NBA fans will Pass these Trivia
These are easy trivia question on NBA; come here and prove how well you know the basketball teams and their players.
Tell us how deep your Arsenal ties go with this Trivia
Arsenal fans are known for their loyalty; they are also known for being among the best players and team that is always hopeful for a trophy. Prove your loyalty to arsenal by passing this simple Trivia test.
