Karim Benzema reached the pinnacle of individual awards in football when the Real Madrid superstar was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner. This was something that was expected though and fully deserved as well, after the remarkable season that he had, guiding Los Blancos to both the La Liga and the Champions League title, almost on his own at times.
For years, Benzema had been a bit of a background figure at Real Madrid, hidden behind superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and others.
But he has stepped up in recent years to become the most vital member of this team and become the most effective source of goals for them, ever since Ronaldo left to join Juventus in the summer of 2018.
It is incredible how he has gone from a player who struggled to find the back of the net just some years back, to one of the great goalscorers in the game. The transformation has been truly unbelievable and Benzema deserves every plaudit that is coming his way. But at the same time, it is clear that he has his feet firmly on the ground as well.
Benzema makes Ronaldo admission following Real Madrid star’s Ballon d’Or triumph
As reported by the Mirror, Benzema said after his Ballon d’Or win:
"“I am not above Zizou and Ronaldo, we are different.“They are role models and I cannot do what they did on the pitch, but they help me to try to do it. I will never be at the level of either of them. They have won the Ball of Oro and I just did it, but it’s difficult to reach their level.”"
When it comes to all-time legends of football, it is true that Benzema might not be on the level of Ronaldo and Zidane. But it is certain that he has carved out his place on that list as well.
Benzema is one of the greatest strikers of this generation and very much on the same level as the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Luis Suarez. And it is great to see that he is finally getting his due respect. The Frenchman has struggled with some injuries this season and will hopefully be able to put them behind him soon.