Football: Karim Benzema crowned UEFA player of the year, two months from the Ballon d'Or

Favorite of the Ballon d'Or which will be awarded on October 17, French striker Karim Benzema saw his crazy season greeted by the title of best UEFA player of the year, Thursday in Istanbul, a distinction he receives for the first time.

At 34, the Real Madrid No.9 was preferred to his partner Thibaut Courtois and the Belgian from Manchester City Kevin de Bruyne, surpassed by the Madrid striker, winner of the Spanish Championship and the Champions League with the Real and the League of Nations with the France team.