A LaLiga manager has now insisted that while Karim Benzema deserved to win the Ballon d'Or for his 2021/22 exploits, he is still not the best footballer in the world.
On Monday night, Benzema became the fifth France international to claim the prestigious prize, and the first to do so since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
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The marksman enjoyed a stellar 2021/22 campaign in which he registered 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 outings for Los Blancos, helping them to their 14th UEFA Champions League title as well as the LaLiga crown. He also claimed his first title with the France national team, winning the UEFA Nations League in October 2021.
Despite the player's glittering success in the past season, however, Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli has insisted that the 34-year-old is not the best player in the world today, believing that crown should go to Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
"If they always gave Messi the Ballon d'Or, it would be good for me because he has made a difference with the rest for a long time," the ex-Albiceleste manager said, according to TyC Sports.
"Karim is a player who has deserved that place because he has been decisive in the success of Real Madrid.
"But they are two things that should not stand in the way.
"Leo is the best player in the world and Karim had an amazing season."
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Alongside midfielder Luka Modric, the Real talisman is just one of two players other than Messi and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to have won the award in the past 14 years, with the Croatian playmaker winning the trophy in 2018.
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