Karim Benzema's penalty against Manchester City is the talk of the footballing world right now.

With Real Madrid 4-2 down in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, the team's main man opted to produce something spectacular to keep them alive in the tie.

Benzema opted to perform the famous Panenka skill move from 12 yards and it was a thing of absolute beauty.

The ball soared majestically into the roof of the net past a helpless Ederson in the City goal.

Video: Benzema's Panenka vs Man City

It was a very similar penalty to the one Zinedine Zidane scored in the 2006 World Cup final for France.

But perhaps the spot kick that Benzema's bears a resemblance to the most is that of Eden Hazard from the 2019 League Cup final.

And who were the Belgian's victims that day when he was donning Chelsea's jersey? Ederson and City...

Video: Hazard's Panenka vs Man City

Same goalkeeper, same team, very similar high-pressure situations and virtually identical Panenka penalties.

Hazard has clearly been teaching Benzema a thing or two in Real Madrid training.

Amazingly, Benzema's Panenka against City was only his second goal from the penalty spot in the Champions League.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their side's third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg One match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He's now scored 85 in the competition, meaning a whopping 83 of them have come from open play.

That amazing statistic really isn't handed the respect it deserves, especially given that 16 of Robert Lewandowski's 86 Champions League goals have been from the penalty spot.

Benzema really is an all-time great and looks set to win the Ballon d'Or for the very first time this year.

Benzema Panenka! Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid (Football Terrace)

Even if Real Madrid fail to win the Champions League, the 34-year-old is more than deserving of football's most prestigious individual accolade.

Benzema has 41 goals and 13 assists from 41 matches across all competitions this season, a record worthy of prime Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The amount of times he's saved Real Madrid is also a joke and without him, Carlo Ancelotti's team would certainly not be cruising to the La Liga title.

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