Lionel Messi: “There is no doubt this year” that Karim Benzema Deserves to Win Ballon d’Or. 

Seven times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi believes Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or after helping Los Blancos to win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles.

Ballon d’Or award is presented to the player who is considered to be the best in the world. This award has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years with both winning 11 of the 12 awards since 2008. Luka Modric in 2018 broke their duopoly.

Karim Benzema in 2021/22 season has a tally of 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games across all competitions, 27 La Liga goals and 15 Champions League goals for the Frenchman who equaled Madrid’s Raúl González as the club’s second-highest scorer with 323 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo leads that tally with 451.

The former Barcelona star wasn’t overly impressed with the team’s style of play after Madrid’s comebacks against his side. There is “no doubt” that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win his first Ballon d’Or award this year by Messi.

“Out of the blue they score against you, and the match changes automatically,” Messi said about this Madrid team.

“Madrid was not the best team in this Champions League, there were better teams.”

“There are no doubts, it’s very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Champions League,” Messi said on Argentine television, according to Reuters (h/t ESPN).

“He was fundamental in all the matches from the round of 16 onwards. I think there is no doubt this year.”

“The Real Madrid game killed us, me and everyone in the dressing room. We had a lot of hope. It makes me want to win again,” Messi said.

“But the best team doesn’t always win the Champions League. I don’t take credit away from Real Madrid, they weren’t the best in this competition and yet they beat everyone.”

Messi insisted that defending champions France should be considered the favorite at the World Cup in Qatar.

“France is an impressive team, (four years) ago we said they could be candidates and they ended as winners. I believe the hit they took at the Euros (being eliminated by Switzerland) made them stronger,” Messi said.

“Argentina can fight anyone and will make it hard for any rival. That doesn’t mean we are the favorites to be world champions or any of that. It means we will fight against anyone.”

Benzema admitted to reports after winning the Champions League title, he was thinking about the possibility he could win the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his 18 professional seasons.

“Of course,” Benzema said.

“Now I will join up with the national team but I don’t think I can do much more with my club. We will see what happens, but in any case I am proud of what I have done.”

“Let’s see what happens. I have trophies and I have nothing else [to prove] on the pitch. The important thing is to enjoy it” Benzema added: