Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Karim Benzema deserves to be on the Ballon d’Or shortlist but still has time to win it: ‘He is like a fine wine.’
Benzema, 33, has had an excellent start to the season with eight goals and seven assists in seven appearances with Real Madrid across all competitions.
Therefore, his coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the Frenchman deserves to be among the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
“I think for what he did last season and for what he is doing now, he must be on the Ballon d’Or shortlist,” the Italian coach said at a press conference ahead of the Merengues’ match against Villareal.
“Karim has time to win it because I don’t think it will be his last season. Apparently, he is like a fine wine, it gets better with age.”
Benzema scored 30 goals in 46 appearances with Real Madrid in 2020-21.
He added four more goals in four games at UEFA Euro 2020, but his goals were not enough for France to go beyond the Round of 16 as they faced a shock elimination at the hands of Switzerland.
Benzema is expected to be among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or this year, along with the Italians Gigio Donnarumma and Jorginho. They played a crucial role in helping Italy win the Euros.
Jorginho became European champion also at a club level, having won the Champions League with Chelsea.
Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid in the summer for his second spell at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.