Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez: France striker Karim Benzema and Brazilian team-mate Vinicius will win Ballons d'Or

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says that Karim Benzema is «certain» to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or after spearheading a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. Lionel Messi was crowned in 2021, winning his record seventh Ballon d'Or, but Perez told El Chiringuito that he is fully confident that Benzema will succeed the Argentinian. Ad/> Messi himself has said that he has «no doubts» that Benzema will be rewarded for a historic season.

He said that Benzema was «fundamental» to Real's 14th Champions League title. Transfers'He must have changed his dream' — Perez on 'pressured' Mbappe snubbing Real15 HOURS AGO Perez claimed that «we have the best centre forward in the world». So confident is Perez of Benzema's level, he says that it informed Madrid's decision not to pursue Erling Haaland.

«This moment is incompatible with Haaland,» said Perez. «We were not going to recruit him to put him on the bench. One day a replacement for Benzema will come.

But it won't be to sit on the bench.» The 34-year-old Benzema enjoyed his greatest season in 2021-22. He scored his 49th goal of a magnificent individual season in a 4-0 hammering of Espanyol that sealed Madrid's 35th Spanish title in late April. The veteran even shone for France, scoring six times for Les Bleus.

However, this is not the first time that Perez has pushed for Benzema to be recognised. He was equally vehement that Benzema should have won in 2020 as well, before the award was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This time around though, there seems to be very little standing in Benzema's way.