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Rio Ferdinand has tipped Karim Benzema for Ballon d’Or glory after the Real Madrid striker netted a devastating hat-trick against Chelsea.

The Frenchman netted a stunning treble for Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Stamford Bridge to give them a commanding 3-1 first leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie. The treble came just weeks after Benzema bagged another staggering hat-trick to oust Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16.

Benzema ranked fourth in last year's Ballon d'Or rankings – agonisingly missing out on a podium finish. Lionel Messi won that award with Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho ranking ahead of the Real Madrid frontman to secure top three finishes in a closely fought vote between the world’s greatest players.

Ferdinand has now spoken about Benzema's status ahead of next year's awards – claiming that his exploits in this season's Champions League to date should be sufficient for him to win his first ever Ballon d'Or crown. Benzema has been in devastating form this campaign,