Real Madrid use unwritten Ballon d'Or rule to renew Karim Benzema's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu

Karim Benzema's contract at Real Madrid has actually already be extended, thanks to a little known clause Real have in all their contracts.

Few players have had the kind of impact on a Champions League campaign that Benzema managed for Real last year, as they became European champions for the 14th time.

He scored back-to-back hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea and important winning goals against the Blues and Manchester City.

And he could be important once again, if Carlo Ancelotti's side are going to become just the second, after Zinedine Zidane's own Real team, to defend the title.

The bandage wearing forward wasn't actually involved in either of the goals, as Los Blancos defeated Real Madrid on Tuesday night, probably because he's not from South Africa...

The Frenchman, and his teammates, will now once again take on City in the semi-finals, as they did last year, with a place in the final on the line.

His goals in last year's game helped him earn the Ballon d'Or and that is actually why he's got another year left to run on his contract at the Bernabeu.

It was thought that his deal was expiring in the summer but, according to Spanish outlet AS, there is a clause in players' contracts at Real that automatically extends their deals if France Football names them world player of the year.

The report goes on to say that the World Cup winner is already aware that the additional season with the club will be his final one for Real.

The 35-year-old moved to the Spanish capital in 2009, after impressing for Lyon, turning up the same summer that Cristiano Ronaldo signed.

He played second fiddle to the club's all time top scorer for most of their time at the club together, but has become Real's main man since the five time Ballon d'Or winner left.

In 14 seasons with the club, the striker has won four La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and five Champions Leagues, which he could still add to.

When he leaves in 2024, Real will be bringing in young Brazilian prospect Endrick to the club, but they've also been heavily linked with Kylian Mbappe.

The PSG forward looked set for the move last summer but signed a new deal at the Parc des Princes, however he has just over a year left on the new deal already.