Magazine France Football announced the names of the 30 players who aspire to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Among the candidates is Karim Benzema, who has quietly sneaked into the favorites to win the precious award.
The Frenchman’s candidacy has compelling reasons to be crowned the new best player in the world. Here are some reasons.
Since Cristiano left Real Madrid, Karim Benzema is the great reference for the white team. His goals have been the ones that have taken each game forward and he has been Madrid’s top scorer for three consecutive seasons, bringing to light his highest scoring side. Benzema knew how to be a luxury squire but when it was his turn to be the benchmark, he took that step forward.
If a few years ago the rivals of Real Madrid asked that Cristiano not have his best day against them, now who they fear is Benzema.
LaLiga Santander has been orphaned of great stars without Neymar, Messi, Ramos or Cristiano, but Benzema is still at the foot of the cannon. And if he is the main active in LaLiga, it is not because of his name but because of what he does on the field. The Frenchman surpasses himself in every game and is going through the best moment of his career at 33 years old, an age in which many footballers were already in full downhill.
One of the most repeated arguments against Benzema was that he was not summoned with his team, something that as we all know was not due to football reasons.
Benzema has made his merits on the pitch outweigh his non-sporting reasons and Deschamps has lifted the veto. Since he has returned to play for France, the forward has played 11 games, scored 6 goals and distributed 2 assists, being one of the proper names of the UEFA Nations League conquered by les Bleus.
The argument against Benzema because he did not play for France has turned in his favor.
The UEFA Nations League may be considered by many to be a minor competition, but at the end of the day it is an official tournament and a title that goes to Benzema’s record. And in addition, the Frenchman was one of the heroes of the Final Four, starting the Gala comeback against Belgium and Spain with two goals, one of them chosen the best goal of the tournament, and ended up being chosen best player in the final.
If Portugal’s conquest of the UEFA Nations League two years ago was a plus for Cristiano Ronaldo’s candidacy, why shouldn’t Benzema receive the same treatment?
If the Ballon d’Or is a recognition of the best footballer, that is Benzema. Yes, we already know that Messi is too Messi and that for quality many would give him the Ballon d’Or year after year regardless of his merits. But this Benzema in great condition plays the Argentine one-on-one.
The Frenchman is not only showing his most goalscoring side, he also assists, plays, plays, comes down to ask for the ball, presses and has an outstanding quality. Benzema will not be the best scorer or the best playmaker, but the count of qualities make him an outstanding player. Others will have won more titles, but as a footballer Benzema is unique. Soccer owes an award like this to the French.
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