For Karim Benzema, the Ballon d’Or is a « dream since his childhood »

Along with N’Golo Kanté and Kylian Mbappé, he is one of three French people named among the 30 applicants for the supreme individual distinction. « From a young age, I have dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, it is the dream of all footballers », confides Karim Benzema in an interview published this Saturday by the Spanish sports daily. Ace.

« Of course, I will do everything possible and I will work to the maximum to have this great trophy, in order, I hope, to win it one day and realize this dream that I have had since I was a child », insisted the Real Madrid striker, the day after the disclosure of the Ballon d’Or list and on the eve of the Nations League final between France and Spain, in Milan. Top scorer in La Liga with nine goals in eight games, Benzema has taken on more light since the departure of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018.

🇫🇷 @Benzema 👏
⚽🏆 ¡Nominado al Balón de Oro 2021! #HalaMadrid | #BallonDor pic.twitter.com/tGtBy9j0xl

– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) October 8, 2021

« The most important thing is that people enjoy my football and feel that I am happy and very proud, » said KB9, recalling that « there are forwards today who are more effective after their 30 years. , who keep excellent form and who can still score a lot in addition to contributing to the game of their team ”. « Today’s football allows it, » adds the 33-year-old center forward, who has become the captain of the Merengues.

Before the match between the Blues and La Roja, Benzema said « sure it will be a great final. » Spain have a very young team but with a lot of talent and I hope that we will see a good game, played, which will make people happy, because that is what we, the players, want ”.

« Mbappé is a phenomenon »

Asked about his teammate in selection Kylian Mbappé, that rumors send to Real Madrid at the end of his contract with PSG in June 2022, Benzema is laudatory: “He is a young player with a lot of qualities. Mbappé is a phenomenon by his game and his age. «  » I take a lot of fun playing with him, and also with Griezmann, who moves very well in small spaces, « adds the native of Bron, anxious not to offend ego by giving the compliments.