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REAL MADRID STAR, BENZEMA, LAMENTS BALLON D’OR ‘ CANCELLATION

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has said that he thinks about winning the Ballon d’Or ‘all the time’.

Despite enjoying a successful career, Benzema has yet to win the prestigious prize, which has largely been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years, with Luka Modric the only other player to win it since 2008. 

Benzema stressed that he is always seeking to be the best but won’t drive himself crazy over the award. 


Speaking on his YouTube channel, Benzema said: ‘Sure, all the time, from my childhood, but it’s not something that drives me crazy. You always think of the Ballon d’Or when you are a professional footballer and when you are competitive. 

‘I never try to define myself by my playing position, as a number nine or not a number nine, as 10 or 11; I am a football player and I try to be the best player in the world.’ 

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There won’t be a winner this year, with the award having been called due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Benzema has enjoyed an excellent season – he has scored 26 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions.

The Frenchman helped Real to win the La Liga title, and there could be further silverware to come as Zinedine Zidane’s side go for glory in the Champions League.

However, Real have work to do if they are to progress to the quarter-finals as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Manchester City in the first leg of their last-16 tie. 

The sides will do battle again at the Etihad Stadium on August 7.  

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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