Ronaldo on Verge of Champions League Record, but Karim Benzema Key for Madrid

Two goals in Bulgaria on Wednesday night would see Cristiano Ronaldo draw level with Raul at the top of the Champions League record books.

Raul scored 71 goals in the competition during his career—66 with Madrid and five with Schalke—but it now seems a matter of time until Ronaldo, currently on 69, moves beyond him.

And given the Portuguese forward's stunning recent form, it's feasible he could do it away at Ludogorets Razgrad this week.

He scored three in the 8-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna, followed that up with four in the match against Elche and was again on target in the weekend's 2-0 win at Villarreal.

Throw in the goals he scored against Cordoba and Atletico Madrid, and he's already scored 10 times in La Liga this season.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Marca say that equals the record set by Laszlo Kubala in 1953 and Pahino in 1954, who both hit 10 goals in the opening six matches as well—although Ronaldo did miss one of those six games.

Ludogorets will have been wary of the 29-year-old anyway; his recent lack of mercy means they'll have to be even more alert to the danger.

However, providing he plays, Wednesday night could be more important for Karim Benzema.

The Frenchman has come under criticism at Madrid this season for his lack of goals—he's hit the net just twice—and it goes unnoticed by many people how important his role is in Carlo Ancelotti's team.

How he set up Ronaldo's goal on Saturday against Villarreal was art, and he has already assisted five goals this season.

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Fortunately, it doesn’t go unnoticed by Ancelotti.

“The key to the game was the second goal and Karim had an important evening, creating the goal for Cristiano,” the Italian told Madrid-based AS after Saturday’s win at El Madrigal, as translated by Football Espana.

“His work had a lot of merit even if he didn’t score. Sometimes it's better to pass.”

Writing in AS, Frederic Hermel says it is the striker's honesty which sees him targeted by the boo boys:

"

Benzema has two virtues that do nothing for his cause and which provide ammunition to his detractors: he’s not at all selfish on the pitch and he obeys his coach.

It’s clear the Frenchman could attempt to score more and put himself in better positions to do so, but just as he says whenever he’s asked: 'I’m a team player.'

"

It must also be reasoned, though, that his two-goal return from nine matches this season isn't great for a No. 9—despite all he does bring to the side.

Ludogorets were denied a point in their opening Champions League game against Liverpool courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Steven Gerrard, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly, but the European Champions should go there and win.

Competition	Appearances	Goals	Assists
La Liga	34 (1)	17	10
Champions League	11	5	5
Copa del Rey	4 (2)	2	1

And it would help if Benzema could get himself among the goals.

Goals are the currency that feed a striker’s confidence, and while Ancelotti and Hermel have reason, Benzema is a key part in Madrid’s system, he will be worried by his lack of goals.

Last season’s total of 24 was a respectable number, but it is a number he should be looking to beat this term.