Thibaut Courtois and Carlo Ancelotti heaped praise on Karim Benzema, with the former backing the Real Madrid talisman to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
In an interview with French outlet RMC Sport, Thibaut Courtois lavished praise on Karim Benzema following the Frenchman’s match-winning display for Real Madrid against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. The Belgian goalkeeper backed Benzema to win the Ballon d’Or this season.
Courtois said, “I think he’s one of the best players in the world and the best number 9, perhaps with Lewandowski at the moment. He’s showed why he might win the Ballon d’Or this year. He’s a true captain. He lead the team to victory with his goals and with his class.”
Karim Benzema has been a talismanic figure for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the Santiago Bernabeu nearly four years ago. The Frenchman has often scored goals for fun while being the single most influential figure for Los Blancos in the last four seasons.
The 34-year-old has been sensational in the ongoing campaign, amassing 30 goals and 12 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions, becoming one of the most productive players in Europe. And the Frenchman reserved his best performance of the season thus far for their biggest game up until now.
Thibaut Courtois: "Karim Benzema is the best number 9 in the world. Lewandowski also scored 3 goals yesterday, but 2 penalties… today Benzema showed why he should be higher in the Ballon d’Or this year". ⚪️ #UCL
"Karim was running, fighting, even limping!", he added. pic.twitter.com/uaattXIPtd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2022
With Real Madrid teetering on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League, the veteran French striker took matters into his own hands, overturning a two-goal deficit by scoring a match-winning hat-trick. The three goals ensured Real Madrid pipped PSG by a solitary goal.
Benzema’s performance naturally left everyone amazed, and manager Carlo Ancelotti lavished praise on the Real Madrid talisman following the game. Speaking to beIN Sports, the Real Madrid manager called Benzema a fantastic leader while hailing his attitude.
Ancelotti said, “Karim Benzema is a fantastic leader, a fantastic centre forward. I’m very happy with what he’s doing and his attitude. After the first goal, we got into a good dynamic, we pressed and controlled the ball better. We had fewer difficulties in the second half compared to the first.”
Benzema’s early bid for winning the Ballon d’Or this year has definitely been boosted by his display against PSG. If he manages to guide Real Madrid to win the Champions League, there is a high chance that the Frenchman will win the prestigious award later this year.
