Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has backed Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to win the award this yr, saying there’s “no doubt” that he deserves it after a spectacular yr with membership and nation
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has backed Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to win the award this yr, saying there’s “no doubt” that he deserves it after a spectacular yr with membership and nation
According to Lionel Messi, there’s “no doubt” that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win his first Ballon d’Or award this yr.
Messi has gained a file seven Ballon d’Or awards because the world’s finest participant, however noticed his new membership Paris Saint-Germain eradicated by Madrid within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League this yr — after Benzema scored a hat trick within the second half of the return leg.
Benzema netted one other 4 targets in opposition to Chelsea within the quarterfinals and three in opposition to Manchester City within the semifinals — together with the decisive penalty in additional time of the second leg — earlier than Madrid defeated Liverpool 1-0 within the closing on Saturday. Benzema was additionally the highest scorer within the Spanish league as Madrid gained the title in dominant trend.
‘No doubt’ says Messi
“There’s no doubt, its very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year,” Messi mentioned in an interview to Argentine TV channel TyC Sports when requested if Benzema ought to get the celebrated award. “I feel there is no such thing as a doubt this yr.”
In total, Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 matches with his club this season, and equaled Madrid great Raúl González as the club’s second-highest scorer with 323 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo leads that tally with 451.
Lionel Messi trains with Argentina teammates at San Mames Stadium Camp in Bilbao, Spain. Argentina will face Italy in Wembley on June 1 as a part of the Finalissima Trophy
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
‘Madrid was not best team’
While Madrid knocked out a quartet of European giants on their method to the Champions League title, Messi wasn’t overly impressed with the group’s fashion of play. Madrid wanted huge comebacks in opposition to each PSG and Man City and had Benzema to thank each instances.
“Out of the blue they score against you, and the match changes automatically,” Messi mentioned about this Madrid group. “Madrid was not the best team in this Champions League, there were better teams.”
The 34-year-old Messi is coaching with Argentina in Bilbao for the “Finalissima” — a pleasant between the Copa America winners and European champion Italy on Wednesday.
‘France is the World Cup favourite’
Messi may discover himself going up in opposition to Benzema once more on the World Cup in Qatar this yr — each Argentina and France are among the many primary contenders — however insisted that defending champion France ought to be thought of the favorite.
“France is an impressive team, (four years) ago we said they could be candidates and they ended as winners. I believe the hit they took at the Euros (being eliminated by Switzerland) made them stronger,” Messi mentioned. “(Argentina) can fight anyone and will make it hard for any rival. That doesn’t mean we are the favourites to be world champions or any of that. It means we will fight against anyone.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
