Watch: Karim Benzema has Real Madrid goal controversially ruled out

Liverpool were dominant in the first half of the Champions League final in Paris, but Real Madrid thought they had taken the lead against the run of play when Karim Benzema poked home. However, a lengthy VAR check led to the goal being controversially disallowed for offside, and many are debating the decision.

Benzema originally received the ball in the box before losing possession, but a mixup between Fabinho, Ibrahima Konate and Alisson saw the striker eventually prod the ball home.

The Frenchman was adjudged to have been in an offside position, but the controversy arose as the ball appeared to come off Liverpool midfielder Fabinho before it reached Benzema, and the goal was still ruled out due to the lack of intent of Fabinho’s contact with the ball.

Whilst the rules state that the intent of the contact by the defender is important, many feel that Fabinho’s intent was to tackle to get the ball away from Federico Valverde and that the goal should have stood.

Benzema is currently the favourite for the Ballon d’Or after a stunning season which has seen him score in every Champions League knockout round, in addition to winning the La Liga golden boot award.

The 34-year-old is arguably having the best campaign of his career, and if his opener on the stroke of half-time had stood, it would have almost certainly secured him the individual accolade of the world’s best player.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was quick to talk Benzema up for the Ballon d’Or after their La Liga title was confirmed.

“Benzema has had an excellent season, the one before and the one before that,” Perez stated.

“Life is what it is and nobody can doubt that the next Ballon d’Or has to be Karim Benzema.

“It’s long overdue, too. It should have