Carlo Ancelotti feels Karim Benzema is one of the best

Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is one of the best strikers in the world, and will play an integral part in his club and country’s success this season.

The 27-year-old has been out of action since 4 October with a thigh injury, while also finding himself in hot water for his involvement in a sex-tape blackmail case involving international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Yet Ancelotti, Benzema’s for coach at the Bernabeu, feels the French striker’s quality on the field is equal to the best in the world in that position, and thinks he is the perfect fit to lead the line for Los Blancos.

"For me, he's a great number nine, a great all-rounder really,” he told RMC Sport.

"He can score, he plays a collective game and helps the team to play better. I can't say much more, he's one of the best strikers in the world, the ideal striker for Real Madrid.

"With players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Gareth] Bale, Karim is the perfect finisher.”

Ancelotti also feels an in-form Benzema will be key should France want to succeed at their home tournament in next year’s continental championships.

“If France want to have any chance of winning Euro 2016, they'll need Karim in their side," he added.