Karim Benzema scores wonderful goal, sets record in Ballon d’Or strengthening final (Video)
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is one of 30 players on the final list of possible winners for the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Although there are technically these 30 players in the running, the race will effectively come down to three names. Familiar winner Lionel Messi, top-scorer Robert Lewandowski, and the man of the hour himself, Karim.
This season, Benzema is first in goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues with nine goals and is tied with Paul Pogba among the assist leaders with seven. His unprecedented start to the season for Real Madrid, a continuation of his excellent work in 2020-2021 and during the 2020 Euros for France, has been built upon for his country in the UEFA Nations League.
After joining forces with Kylian Mbappe to lead a comeback win over Belgium, Benzema was equally instrumental in the final triumph over Spain.
Look no further than this delicious curler, celebrated with Mbappe, as evidence of Karim being at his clinical best in the big match.
Karim Benzema is the most successful French player ever
In addition to this satisfying finish from a tough angle, Benzema accomplished something else by hoisting the UEFA Nations League trophy.
The title victory means that Benzema now has won 27 trophies in his career, with this being his first for France. That is the most number of trophies won by a French player ever!
He has won a whopping 19 trophies for Real Madrid and won seven for Lyon, standing as a massive club legend for both.
Benzema is 33 but is on such a tear right now, you could easily envision him adding more trophies to his record for France. They will be among the favorites at the next World Cup, despite falling short at the Euros.
This title win with France is also key in Benzema’s Ballon d’Or candidacy. There were arguments that because Real did not win a major trophy and France struggled in the Euros, Benzema could not win over, say, Lewandowski. But now, Benzema has won a trophy, in addition to always being the decisive player for both Real Madrid and France, two star-studded sides.
A hearty congrats to Benzema. I cannot stop watching that goal, nor the potentially foretelling celebration with Mbappe, whom he unselfishly allowed to take the penalty in that memorable semifinal against Belgium.