Is Karim Benzema now Ballon d'Or favourite after Robert Lewandowski's Champions League exit?

Following Bayern Munich’s elimination from the Champions League, has Karim Benzema stepped up as the Ballon d’Or favourite? The Real Madrid striker was at the heart of his side’s move to the semi-finals. After a hat-trick in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, he was on hand with a 96th minute goal to break Chelsea’s hearts yet again. Dominant in the first leg, decisive in the second.

It sums up the experienced Frenchman’s best qualities. He is a consistent goalscorer and also a scorer of vital goals. Ad/> Only the very best can claim something similar: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi did the same at their peak, Mohamed Salah contributed the same at his best, and Robert Lewandowski the only other player in comparable form.

Champions LeagueReal Madrid's galactico geriatricos have one final shot at glory09/03/2022 AT 22:39 Unfortunately for the Polish international, he won’t get the chance to score more in Europe after Bayern Munich were sent packing by Villarreal on Tuesday night. He has a preposterous 47 goals in 41 club games so far, and is on course to beat his season record of 55 a couple of years ago. That outstrips Benzema, who has 38 in as many games.

That is already his best for a campaign, and it demonstrates his continued improvement and importance to his side that his scoring rate is also his most efficient ever. We should be able to assume that both Lewandowski and Benzema will end the season with a league medal, but there is a chance for the 34-year-old to overtake his slightly younger rival. Most odds services and betting companies have Lewandowski ahead, just about, with a couple of months left in the season but this should now be the Frenchman’s award to lose — but he is counting on his teammates.