Benzema is unique amongst elite strikers

In the summer of 2014, Luis Suarez, who would end up at Barcelona weeks later, was approached by Real Madrid.

The idea excited Carlo Ancelotti, who saw the Uruguayan as an extraordinary reinforcement for the team that had just become European champions.

That was until Jose Angel Sanchez told him that in order to deal with such an operation, Karim Benzema would have to be sold. Carletto's answer was a resounding "no", with no room for debate.

His No.9 was untouchable and it was impossible to find a better ally for Cristiano Ronaldo. That was the end of the interest in Luis Suarez.

Eight years have passed since then. Today Benzema, like then, is a European champion. And the best player in the world. The new Real Madrid captain is coming into what will be his 14th season at the club.

In each of those campaigns he has been the untouchable striker for all the coaches who have passed through Madrid.

In those 14 years at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Benzema has seen how the centre-forward position has rotated among the greats of Europe.

Pending the future of Robert Lewandowski, who has made it clear he wants to leave Bayern Munich, they have had the most stability in the centre-forward position since Benzema arrived in Madrid.

On the other side is Atletico Madrid. While Benzema has built his history in white, the other side of the capital has had plenty of forwards.

When Real Madrid introduced Benzema, Atleti's No9 was Diego Forlan, hero that season with two goals against Fulham in the Europa League final.

Then came Falcao, Diego Costa with David Villa at his side, Mario Mandzukic, Fernando Torres returned, Kevin Gameiro, Angel Correa played as a striker, Alvaro Morata, Suarez, Matheus Cunha...

Paris Saint-Germain, in particular, have invested in centre forwards, without making the move they had hoped for by bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi.