Mathieu Valbuena backs Real Madrid's Karim Benzema for 2022 Ballon d'Or despite sex tape blackmail scandal

Former France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has given his backing to Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d’Or, despite their chequered history over the sex tape scandal. Real Madrid striker Benzema, 34, was one of five people tried over an attempt to blackmail Valbuena with an explicit video stolen from his phone. Ad/> Benzema was found guilty of complicity in the attempted blackmail last November and was given a one-year suspended sentence.

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Transfer news LIVE — Liverpool battle for Nunez Southgate urges Grealish to find 'high tactical level' “Yes, he deserves the Ballon d’Or. I can objectively speak about football and I can also talk about something which has happened before. Either we talk about football or what happens off the pitch.” Benzema returned to international duty for France last summer after a five-and-a-half-year absence, while Valbuena, 37, has not played for his country since 2015.

«I've turned the page after all these years,» added Valbuena. «I hold no hard feelings, they were difficult moments that I managed to pick myself up from. »I would have liked for my to career to end in another way but that's how it is.” Both Valbuena and Benzema missed out on a place at Euro 2016 following the sex tape