Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has revealed the influence of Ronaldo Nazario on his career.

The French forward has carved out his own path at Real Madrid in recent years, but he admitted that none of that would have happened without the former Brazil frontman.

"Ronaldo was my idol from a young age," Benzema told Movistar's Universo Valdano programme.

"I started watching football because of him.

"I looked at his movement and I tried to copy what he did.

"But there was no one like him, I looked up to him so much.

"Some players had his speed, but not the ball control and skill at the same time.

"People think he only scored goals, but he could do everything.

"Strikers need to know how to do a lot of things, not just score goals, and he was the perfect example.

"I learnt a lot from him and [current Real Madrid coach] Zinedine Zidane."