Zinedine Zidane has backed Karim Benzema to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or.
The ex-Real Madrid manager coached his fellow Frenchman between 2016 and 2021 in two separate spells. Zidane won the prize himself in 1998, while at Juventus.
Zidane told Telefoot: “Karim is in fine form. I would give him the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it.
He is an incredible player, I had the great honour of coaching him.
“He knows how to do everything on the field. He is above [everyone] and I hope he can be rewarded with this Ballon d’Or.”
Benzema has had an exceptional 2021-22 season so far. He has scored 10 goals in 10 appearances for Madrid, also contributing seven assists. He is currently three goals clear of Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal in the La Liga top scorer chart.
In Europe’s top five leagues, only Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland have scored more than Benzema’s 24 goals in 2021 so far. The year has also seen Benzema recalled by France after a six year absence.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also backed Benzema to win the accolade, although he has admitted there is no definite winner.
“There is no untouchable this year”, said Wenger. “On individual performance, consistency, Benzema is at the top level. The uncertainty is: does the weight of the trophies play a decisive role?”
