Real Madrid punished Barcelona with a 3-1 win and Karim Benzema is back in the spotlight. Many football experts believe that Benzema should win the Ballon d’Or at Monday’s gala, as no player was as prolific as him last season. The stage is set for the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Theater du Chatelet in Paris.
After Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, the Frenchman has been at his best and leads Real Madrid’s forward line as the only striker.
His fiery form still continues as he scored the first goal of last night’s Clásico. The other one of his was annulled due to the raised offside flag.
If Benzema collects the trophy, he will become the fifth Frenchman to win it after other legendary players such as Kopa, Platini, Papin and his former coach Zidane. Zidane won it in 1998. After that, no French player has picked it up yet.
Praise for Benzema
France coach Didier Deschamps believes his player will win football’s most prestigious individual trophy.
He spoke to Telefoot: “Obviously it would be a very, very good reward. I would be very happy for him if he could receive the Ballon d’Or, he deserves it”. The coach also recalled that Benzema played a fundamental role in winning the Nations League.
As well as the national coach, another French icon, Jean-Pierre Papin also believes his compatriot will win the trophy for sure. Papin also played with Deschamps in the 1991 World Cup and ended up winning it.
The legendary French footballer spoke: “I think it will be Benzema”. He sees that no player is at his level at the moment. He spoke: “Real Madrid won the Champions League thanks, in part, to his performances and today nobody is at his level”.
Benzema’s contractual situation with Real Madrid
Karim Benzema has not yet signed a new contract at Real Madrid. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, his new contract will keep him until 2024. His current contract will end next summer, but Madrid have full faith in Benzema to extend his stay at Los Merengues for another year.
Florentino Pérez did an incredible job when he brought in the two most successful players from Madrid in the same season in 2009. Cristiano Ronaldo established himself as the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid. A few years later, Benzema has also reached the same level.
Another Madrid superstar, Modric was the first player to break Ronaldo’s dominance and Messi’s Ballon d’Or winning streak. Benzema will become another Madridista who will inscribe his name in football history with such a rare feat.
Benzema won the Pichichi trophy last season with 27 goals. He was also the top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals. He helped his Real Madrid team win both La Liga and the Champions League last season under Carlo Ancelotti.
Where to see it?
The 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place at 7:30pm BST. According to IST, the show will air LIVE on Sony Sports Network’s Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD TV channels and also on the Sony Liv app at 12:00 am on Tuesday, October 18.
