If even the “best enemies” of Real Madrid get involved… Dani Alves, the defender of FC Barcelona, believes in an interview which made the front page of “Marca” that Karim Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or this season.
Usually more accustomed to making foot calls to his former teammate Lionel Messi to return to Catalonia, the 39-year-old Brazilian veteran, this time looked into the case of the tricolor striker, already crowned champion of Spain with the Merengue while waiting for the European consecration against Liverpool on May 28 at the Stade de France.
Since the start of the knockout phase of the Champions League, the Madrid captain has been splashing with his talent and flooding continental evenings with his goals.
In the semi-final against Manchester City, the former Lyon striker scored twice in the first leg to keep his team afloat (3-4) and delivered an almost miraculous assist to Rodrygo on the return for an unexpected comeback before carry the thrust on penalty in the extra time (3-1).
#LaPortada "Benzema se merce el Balón de Oro" 🗞 https://t.co/UKvwVRC00A
— MARCA (@marca) May 7, 2022
“The Champions League is going to have a lot of influence.
If he gets it, he is a serious candidate, although there are also other names whether at Manchester City or Liverpool, explains Alvès.
There are players who can fight.
But Karim Benzema deserves it because he took Real Madrid to places they weren't before in terms of play and other facets.
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Facing Mané and Salah
It is not the first time this season that Dani Alves has praised Benzema.
The former PSG side had already declared his love for the French after his hat-trick against Paris in the round of 16 at Santiago-Bernabeu.
"I don't care if he's a Madrid player, but what player, what player is Karim Benzema!
I love this game, ”launched the most successful player in history.
The Real Madrid-Liverpool shock will be the last step for the attribution of the most popular individual award in football, now established over a season and no longer a calendar year.
Benzema will meet Reds Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, who are also among the favorites for the Ballon d'Or.
Knowing that “individual performances” now have a preponderant part in the vote, KB9 (43 goals in 43 games) is in an ideal position to succeed… Messi.