Romelu Lukaku has previously described Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as the best frontman in world football, with Chelsea set to meet the Frenchman's side in the Champions League tonight.
Chelsea face off with Los Blancos for a place in the first-leg of their quarter-final this evening, with Thomas Tuchel's men looking to bounce back from a 4-1 drubbing by Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Having beaten Real Madrid in the competition last season, however, the Blues could hold a mental edge.
But Carlo Ancelotti will no doubt take confidence from the fact Chelsea shipped four goals against a side many tipped for relegation this season. With the likes of Benzema, Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr leading his line, it is hard to imagine the Chelsea back-line will not be severely tested.
Lukaku is already well aware of the threat that can be posed by the Madrid front-line, particularly Benzema. The 34-year-old has scored 34 goals in 35 games this season, including eight in seven matches in the Champions League.
Ahead of Euro 2020, Lukaku was asked about the impact winning a Scudetto with Inter Milan could have on his career and, in response, said he hoped all his Belgium teammates could have the same feeling soon.
"I really hope that all the other Red Devils can win titles: [Thibaut] Courtois, Eden and Thorgan Hazard, [Axel] Witsel, [Kevin] De Bruyne," Lukaku told RTBF’s La Tribune, via Metro. "Winning a title with the club allows you to gain some experience and allows you to understand how to face a game.
"It gives you this killer mentality, which I had been missing a little I gave up too many times, then I said to myself: ‘Enough, it’s time to change. At the moment I am happy because we are champions, but I am already focusing on the European Championship."
Lukaku was then asked who he felt was the best striker in the world at the moment and, instead of naming Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland or even himself, the 28-year-old said: "Without a doubt, Karim Benzema."
