Real Madrid attacker Eden Hazard has backed his teammate Karim Benzema to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Benzema has re-established himself as one of the finest players in the world after an impressive season with the La Liga giants. He was instrumental as Real won both La Liga and the Champions League, as he ended the campaign as the top-scorer in La Liga and UCL.
Speaking to ESPN via 90min, Hazard stated that the Frenchman is deserving of winning the award not just for his outstanding season but for his glittering career.
“I think he [Benzema] deserves it. You know, there’s no doubt about it. But I think he deserves it not just for that season, but for his whole career, you know? It’s like he’s been at the top for 15 years. Maybe he’s scoring more goals, which is why people just want him to win this Ballon d’Or, but I think he deserved it before, like five years ago.
“He’s our captain now, and he’s also like, a really good guy, you know? He’s not talking that much on the pitch, doing what he wants. He’s our leader. So we just pushed him to go for the Ballon d’Or.”
This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held on October 17 and will be judged by performances over the course of a season as opposed to a calendar year for the first time.
