Mesut Ozil has called for his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d'Or this year after another impressive performance from the striker in the Champions League.
Madrid were beaten 4-3 by Manchester City in the first leg of their semi-final at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
But it could have been much worse for the Spanish side without Benzema.
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The France international scored two goals, including a brilliant Panenka late in the game, to leave the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu on May 4.
Benzema has now scored 41 goals in as many games for Madrid this season and is the bookies' favourite to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Ozil believes Benzema fully deserves to be crowned as the best male player in world football.
He tweeted: "What a fantastic game. Give my boy Benzi the Ballon D'Or."
Speaking ahead of the match, City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan also said he considered Benzema was among the favourites to win the award, which was last given to Lionel Messi in 2021.
“Right now, for me, Benzema is, along with [Robert] Lewandowski, the best striker in the world,” Gundogan told RT1.
“He’s good with both feet, good in the air...I think he was underrated in the past and now he is proving his critics were wrong.
“For a long time he was in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow, especially in the press, but now he’s getting the attention and credit he deserves.
“His achievements speak for themselves. Benzema has everything it takes to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Does Benzema deserve to win the Ballon d’Or this year? Let us know your thoughts.
Topics: Football, Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil, Champions League, La Liga
Rory O'Callaghan