Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane suggested that Karim Benzema was one big name safe during the expected squad upheaval this summer, after Benzema's match-winning performance in Sunday evening's 3-2 La Liga victory over bottom side Huesca at the Bernabeu.
Huesca went ahead after just three minutes through Cucho Hernandez, with Madrid hitting back with close range strikes from midfielders Isco and Dani Ceballos, before Xabier Etxeita appeared to have earned a point for his side with a late header.
Real Madrid player ratings: Benzema earns 8/10 after late heroics
Benzema had been centrally involved in both Isco and Ceballos' goals before his 89th minute curled strike maintained his fellow Frenchman's perfect record since returning to the Bernabeu bench earlier this month.
"Karim is here 10 years, doing well," Zidane told the post-game news conference. "This year is maybe his best year. And we are happy with him. I will count on him, there are nine games left, and that is the most important, to finish the season well. Then we will see what happens, but Karim is a player at this club and I don't believe that will change."
Zidane fielded a much rotated Madrid XI with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos among the stars rested, and youngsters Brahim Diaz and Marcos Llorente among those brought in.
"I always pick the best team for each game," Zidane said, denying that his players were all playing for their futures. "This was not a 'casting'. But when you see your players have played two games, including travel, then why will I not give a chance to play those who were with us for the fortnight. People might think I give minutes to this player, or that one to keep them happy. But I don't, you can't work like that."
Bottom team Huesca matched Madrid for much of the 90 minutes on their first ever visit to the Bernabeu, with Zidane admitting that his team were finding motivation a challenge given Barcelona have almost certainly already wrapped up the La Liga title.
"At a team like Madrid, when you know you will not win a trophy, [motivation] is difficult, in moments during games," he said. "That is normal. But we are all professionals here and motivation is intrinsic, each one has their own. We started the game conceding in minute two, and then they equalised, but we kept thinking we would win, and we won. It was a bit of a crazy game, nice to watch. I am sticking with the victory although we can play much better, that is clear."
With Thibaut Courtois injured, Zidane left his other senior goalkeeper Keylor Navas on the bench to start his son Luca Zidane, 20, in goal. The youngster could do nothing with Heusca's two goals and was otherwise not really tested.
"I am happy for him, for his debut here, with a victory," Zidane senior said. "I was not picking my son, but a player in Real Madrid's squad. I see him as one other player for the team. Luca is the third keeper here. Thibaut was out and I wanted to give Keylor a rest after playing with his country. It came out well."