Real Madrid – Karim Benzema Ballon d’Or rather than Lewandowski or Messi? Europe does not believe it at all

The campaign launched by Real Madrid, his successful return to the national team and his astounding statistics have not changed anything. For our European colleagues, Karim Benzema does not deserve the Ballon d’Or 2021. While the veil will finally lift on the identity of the winner, the whole of France begins to dream of a successor to Zinedine Zidane to put an end to 23 years of famine. But, if we trust the judgments of our colleagues, KB9 will suffer the same fate as Thierry Henry, Franck Ribéry or Antoine Griezmann this year. Even in Spain, a country where he has shone with Real for years, his coronation seems difficult to imagine.

“Honestly we don’t think he should win, summarizes Agustin Galan, journalist at Eurosport Spain. Robert Lewandowski’s performances make him the big favorite to win this trophy. The Bayern forward has been fairly consistent throughout the year, which is where he makes the difference to Benzema.“Same story in Germany:”Here we don’t see why he would win, says Eurosport journalist Florian Bogner. Lewandoswki has all the assets on his side, the big names (Messi and Ronaldo) are still there without counting those who won the Champions League or the Euro.“

Only our Italian colleague defends the record of the center-forward of the Blues: “If he won the Ballon d’Or, no one would complain“, Judge Davide Bighiani. If he does indeed seem to leave with a delay on Robert Lewandoswki with extraordinary statistics (61 goals in 2021 or … 19 more than the second top scorer, Kylian Mbappé) and on Lionel Messi (winner of his first major trophy with Argentina at the Copa America), Benzema has arguments.First, of course, his statistics (43 goals in 2021) but also his record at the Euro (4 goals) and his victory in the League of Nations with the French team, but if we step out of the French prism, his season does not seem to weigh heavily in the eyes of our neighbors.

“This is the first season for Real without a trophy since 2009/2010 and the list rewards those who win titles, recalls Marcus Foley of Eurosport England. If Benzema’s return to the France team had resulted in a victory at Euro 2020, his candidacy would have taken on even more weight.“Therefore, where would our four European representatives from Eurosport rank Karim Benzema at the end of this year 2021?

• Germany – Florian Bogner: Definitely outside the top 5.

• Italy – Davide Bighiani: in 4th position behind Lewandowski, Messi and Jorginho. “I think Lewandowski is the number one contender given what he has shown in this season and last. Messi second, because he is Messi. Jorginho third, as a symbol of Italy European champion and Chelsea, European champion.The fourth position goes well to Benzema.

• Spain – Agustin Galan: Apart from the podium, maybe in the top 5. “Real are coming off a bad season, Benzema did not even finish top scorer in La Liga and he stopped in the quarter-finals of the Euro… “

• England – Marcus Foley: Third behind Lewandowski and Messi. “Both have finished top scorers in their league and to put Benzema in third place just seems fair to me.”

Will the Ballon d’Or jury have the same reading? Answer this Monday.