Karim Benzema continued his exceptional form as he scored his second Champions League hat-trick this year to fire Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-finals tie. The French international is now being tipped by many football pundits as the leading candidate to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
Los Blancos started as underdogs against the Premier League giants but the French international pulled up his best game at Stamford Bridge. But a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge gives them a decent cushion to take into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeau.
Benzema is now the second player after former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to score two hat-tricks in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The French international has 11 goals in UCL this season, 24 in La Liga and two in the Spanish Super Copa.
Benzema finished fourth in the last Ballon d'Or as PSG superstar Lionel Messi won his seventh award. The French striker has been a key figure in Real Madrid's sheer domination in La Liga this season.
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believe Benzema will win the the Ballon d'Or this year.
Speaking to BT Sport, former Chelsea player Joe Cole said:
"He is getting better with age. As things stand right now in the race for the Ballon d'Or he has won it by a few furlongs. It is unbelievable that in this stage of his career he has gone: 'I am in charge of the orchestra now, everything goes through me'. He is an outstanding footballer."
Dominated and beaten by Real Madrid and Brentford, Chelsea go out of form during their season's most crucial time
The uncertainties surrounding Chelsea's future have started showing in the team's on-field performances. After Brentford thumped the Premier League giants 4-1 last weekend, Real Madrid inflicted a humiliating 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge in the UCL.
As the 2021-22 season inches closer to the end, the Blues seem to have hit a bad patch of form. The defending champions are close to a quarterfinal exit but might finish in the Premier League top four, thanks to their superlative performances earlier this season.
Discimyz
0
Once you score goals, you start being considered for the award. Does this mean defenders will never win it? Football brilliance doesn’t rely only on goalscroing
wuwbdlopry
0
karim deserve it fo this season... but euyy! Lewandowski deserves it fo yhe past ywo years...
Mia16
0
Lol look at this shameless joe coe whom says few weeks ago that it would be an easy win for Chelsea against Madrid 😆 now all English pundit are doing fake praises
lmao, you also looked down on Madrid Hypocrite 🤡
Sosst
0
Benz better win it💡💡💡💡
Daabcklpy
0
He has to win the UEFA Champions League to win it. Also World Cup performance must be good.
World Cup doesn’t matter this year it will help in next year ballon dor France football changed the rules…it’s now from August-july(full season) no more from Jan -December(year)this year’s own will be in October go to france football page you’re gonna see the new format so right now as things stands benz has high chance because they’ll vote by your performance throughout the season nkt the year anymore
Sahckmnps
0
Joe Cole is right but, still they will be biased and give it to him (messi)
KingRogers7
0
He has to win the UEFA Champions League to win it. Also World Cup performance must be good.
fN_sPortsArena
3
Joe Cole is a shameful chameleon who changes so fast to adapt, some days ago he bold said Chelsea gonna dismantle Madrid now see his other colours 🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
meedeikny
0
According to Benzema if you criticize Messi in anyway, then you knows nothing about football! I wish Benzema wins it because Benzema is team Messi but unfortunately Messi is winning 8th balloondor, he is going to help Argentina 🇦🇷 to win the world 🌎 cup at Quata !
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Ballon d or will be given on October this year.. So world cup will be next year Ballon d or...
Mariosuarez2
4
Lol look at this shameless joe coe whom says few weeks ago that it would be an easy win for Chelsea against Madrid 😆 now all English pundit are doing fake praises
SabinMessi
2
This time no one can take ballond'or from benzema.Rightnow he is the best player in the world and truly worthy of ballond'or.
C1TY4EVER
4
big benz i support you to win the ballon d or
Podabilry
2
According to Benzema if you criticize Messi in anyway, then you knows nothing about football! I wish Benzema wins it because Benzema is team Messi but unfortunately Messi is winning 8th balloondor, he is going to help Argentina 🇦🇷 to win the world 🌎 cup at Quata !
Cazdklmop
4
Big Benz to everyone who are trying to bring in Lewandowski in the picture for the Ballon D’or be like am I a joke to you? 🤣🤣🤣
Pebipryz
2
lol lewa looks like ballon d or was never made for u