Ilkay Gundogan believes Karim Benzema has "everything it takes" to win the Ballon d'Or” says’ ahead of Manchester City's match against Real Madrid
Karim Benzema has scored 39 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this season. He scored hat-tricks in the Champions League's last 16 and quarter-finals to help Real Madrid advance, and he'll be hoping to do so again in the semi-finals against Manchester City. Ilkay Gundogan believes France striker Kylian Mbappe is a strong candidate for the Ballon d'Or.
Karim Benzema has been tipped by Ilkay Gundogan to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
Benzema has been in excellent form this season, scoring 39 goals and assisting 13 times in 40 appearances in all competitions.
He also scored hat-tricks in the Champions League's last 16 and quarter-finals, propelling Real past Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
"Right now, for me, Benzema is the best striker in the world, along with [Robert] Lewandowski," Gundogan told RT1.
"He's strong on both feet and in the air...
"I believe he was underappreciated in the past, and he is now proving his detractors wrong."
For a long time, he was in Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow, particularly in the press, but he is now receiving the attention and credit he deserves. His accomplishments are self-evident. Benzema possesses all of the qualities required to win the Ballon d'Or."
Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and is having one of his best seasons to date at the age of 34.
Last year, he finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or voting with 239 points, trailing Lionel Messi, who won his seventh trophy with 613 points.
His chances of winning the award in 2022, however, may have been improved by a change in criteria, which now requires players to be judged over the course of a typical club season rather than a calendar year.
"He's getting better every day, like wine," Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said of Benzema following his hat-trick against Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
"Every day, he demonstrates more leadership, and he feels more important to this team and squad." That's what separates him from the crowd. He has a lot more character."
Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, has also warned about the threat of Benzema ahead of the first leg against Real at the Etihad on Tuesday.
"He is in the best period of his career," Rodri said following City's 5-1 win over Watford on Saturday.
"He understands every aspect of the game and is scoring crucial goals."
"I played against him for a few years and he is a great player, but not only in terms of quality, they always have that." "I played against him for a few years and he is a great player, but not only in terms of quality, they always have that."
Manchester City defeated Real Madrid's city rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals and are aiming to win the Champions League for the first time.
Real Madrid have won the competition 13 times in a row, including three in a row from 2016 to 2018.
The general brawl between Manchester City and Atlético Madrid players during the fourth-quarter return
"This is a team that, of course, has competition experience and is waiting for their opportunity," Rodri added.
"This is the best aspect of them. They are not consistent for more than 90 minutes, but they are always dangerous. We must be alert. The first game is here at home, so we must give it our all."
After Barcelona's shock home loss to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Real need just one point from their final five La Liga games to clinch the title. . If they do wrap up the league and win the Champions League that is likely to add to Benzema’s cause to lift the Ballon d’Or in October.
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