The Spanish proverb says that whoever has a godfather is baptized. And Benzema has a few to defend his candidacy for the Ballon d’Or, which France Football will deliver on November 29 in a solemn ceremony at the Parisian Châtelet Theater. The Real Madrid striker has among his supporters former award winners, his coaches and some of the most influential commentators on the French country’s media scene.
The last to get on Karim’s bandwagon has been Ronaldo. The Brazilian galactic, winner of the award in 1997 and 2002, posted a photo on Instagram with a young Karim on the pitch at the Bernabéu. “Without a doubt, my candidate for the Ballon d’Or is Benzema. The best striker, brutal level for 10 years and champion above all else. Don’t you think?”, wrote the now president of Valladolid. The publication accumulates more than half a million ‘likes’ and almost 7,000 comments.
He is not the only illustrious holder of the golden ball who has positioned himself in favor of Benzema. Fabio Cannavaro, who also won the award in 2006 after signing for Madrid, is running in defense of the white forward. “It has the quality to win a Ballon d’Or. People think it is due to titles. It is due to the merits of the whole year, not a specific date,” argued the Italian a few days ago in The spar of the SER. Samuel Etoo, fifth in 2009 and sixth in 2006, also includes him among his candidates: “If it depended on me, he is one of the players who has deserved it these years,” said the Cameroonian in a recent interview for AS.
The current of opinion in France is also favorable to his compatriot, brand-new champion of the League of Nations after his rehabilitation for Blues on the occasion of the Eurocup. Didier Deschamps got it back almost six years after his last call-up and before the final four in Italy it was resounding in Telefoot. “Clearly yes,” Deschamps answered on the matter in a battery of questions to which he could only answer yes or no. Carlo Ancelotti, his current coach at Real Madrid, was also in favor of giving it to him: “I think because of what he’s doing and what he did, he has to be on the list of those who can win it.”. Jocelyn Gourvennec, Lille coach, said Thursday: “He has all the ingredients to win it, I would be happy if he does. What he did in the Nations League is at the height of the Ballon d’Or. But I don’t vote … He can do everything and he does everything very well. It is interesting for young people to watch what he does. He is an exceptional player and he is not a thing of today. “
“Because of what he’s doing and what he did, he has to be on the list of those who can win it.”
Carlo Ancelotti, Karim Benzema’s coach at Real Madrid.
The voices that defend it in France
The RMC radio station, whose evening magazine French football myths have been passing for years (Dugarry, Luis Fernández …), is one of the most influential football forums in France. Now Jérôme Rothen takes the lead, who says: “Yes, he can win the Ballon d’Or. Some will want to talk about the record. It is one of the criteria, but also the individual performances, the player’s class, his charisma and the fair play. In terms of charisma and fair play, there are few like Benzema. In terms of class, it has enough. This year, I think nobody was more elegant than Benzema in goals against Belgium or Spain in the Nations League. Regarding his performance, he is among the best if we look at his statistics, “said Rothen.
He was seconded by Eric di Meco, European champion with Marseille in 1993 who now shares a table with Rothen. “This year, for me, he was the best player in the world. Last season, Real Madrid reached the semifinals of the Champions League with Benzema. In League he dragged everyone. At the European Championship, he was one of the few French to escape criticism. Crush your teammates on the field. Everything he does is in a good sense of the game. For me, you have to value it. “
Luis Fernández himself, an illustrious one of the Spanish benches (Athletic, Espanyol and Betis; also PSG, Reims, Israel team …) and one of the pioneers in RMC’s microphones, wants the award for Karim: “I gave it to Benzema, each game is at the highest level. It makes a difference, it is the only one who always contributes”. The arguments are in there; the verdict, in the hands of the jury.