Real Madrid News
Barcelona legend calls the Ballon d’Or to be awarded to Benzema ‘NOW’
The Ballon d’Or is widely considered the pinnacle of individual awards in football. The prestigious award has been won by several Real Madrid players in the past including Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Fabio Cannavaro.
One player whom the award has eluded is Karim Benzema. The French international has been one of best player in the world for close to two seasons, but missed out on the award even last year to Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.
After Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool in the UCL final, Thierry Henry had no doubts that his compatriot deserved the award this season. Speaking during the post-match ,
“I have just one message to France Football – close the Ballon d’Or voting process NOW. Karim Benzema has already won it. Goodbye.”
Benzema has been instrumental in not only the club’s La Liga title but also their UEFA Champions League supremacy this season. In 12 UCL games, he scored 15 goals and provided two assists. His goal and assist tally in the recent La Liga season stand at 27 and 12 respectively.
Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah were the two main competitors to Benzema in his bid for the Ballon d’Or. However, Real Madrid’s win over the Merseyside club last night puts the Frenchman firmly in the drivers seat now.
Thierry Henry himself never won the coveted award in his career but came close on several occasions. Despite being the best player in the world during his time, his inability to win the Champions League saw him miss out on the individual honour.
Given that Benzema has now won domestic and European silverware, nothing, it seems, can stop him from walking away with the Ballon d’Or.
Following Barcelona’s awe-inspiring comeback win against Celta Vigo yesterday, the pressure is on Real Madrid to regain top spot in La Liga as they travel to Civitas Metropolitano to lock horns against Atletico Madrid.
The first Madrid derby of the season will not feature Vinicius Jr, who had to pull out of the travelling squad today due to a stomach bug.
Jude Bellingham has been given the green light, though, and is likely starting as the out and out striker for this game, with Joselu benched. The Englishman is joined by Rodrygo by his side, while Luka Modric plays behind them as the attacking midfielder.
Behind this trio, Toni Kroos has been handed the keys as the pivot, with Aurelien Tchouameni benched. Eduardo Camavinga starts alongside Federico Valverde as the central midfielders.
Lucas Vazquez fills in for the injured Daniel Carvajal at right-back, while Fran Garcia comes back to take over his left-back spot from Nacho. David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger round off the quadrant in central defence, screening Kepa in goal.
Confirmed Madrid XI: Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham
