The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave his seal of approval to Benzema to win the award.
Lionel Messi has ‘no doubt’ that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
The 34-year-old supplied 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid this season; finishing as the Champions League and La Liga top scorers.
Benzema netted some vital match-winners and notably bagged hat-tricks against Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain team and Chelsea on route to winning a fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid.
“There’s no doubt, it is very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year,” Messi told Argentine TV channel TyC Sports when asked if Benzema deserves a first Ballon d’Or award in 2022.
“I think there is no doubt this year.”
A new trophy that rewards a hard collective and individual work. 🏆
Thanks to all Madridistas, the trophy is also yours ¡ 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗗! 🤍𝘊’𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘪𝘳𝘦… ⚔️ Al hamdulillah 🤲🏼❤️#Nueve #HalaMadrid #CHAMP14NS #UCL pic.twitter.com/v9WqLBhcFl
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) May 29, 2022
‘Madrid was not the best team’
That said, however, Messi wasn’t overly impressed with Real Madrid’s performances in the Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed big comebacks against both PSG and Manchester City in the knockouts, with Benzema coming to the rescue each time.
“Out of the blue they score against you, and the match changes automatically,” Messi said about Real Madrid.
“Madrid was not the best team in this Champions League, there were better teams.”
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