Los 40 USA
NewslettersSign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

SOCCER

Henry: “It’s over, give Benzema the Ballon d’Or!”

The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker feels that after Real Madrid’s Champions League success, Karim Benzema is the deserved winner of this season’s Ballon d’Or award.

Update:
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Marc AtkinsGetty

Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, who was at Stade de France working as a pundit for CBS with other ex-players during the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid feels that the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or is finally over.

After Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe, Henry said that France Football may as well close the voting for the Ballon d’Or and hand it over to Karim Benzema. “I just want to say that France Football and whoever is voting. Close the voting, Benzema has won the Ballon d’Or. Goodbye!”

Henry’s comments drew laughter among his colleagues, ex-City player Micah Richards and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Henry is calling for Karim Benzema to be handed the Ballon d’Or after the striker put in another solid year with Madrid. Karim ended the season with his best figures ever - 44 goals across all competitions and finishing as the top scorer in both LaLiga and the Champions League - and winning both tournaments. And apart from scoring goals, he has created them too for his team mates - equalling his own personal best for assists in one season: 15 (the same as in 2011/12). With Madrid competing the double, the argument is strong for their No.9 to pick up the award for being the best player on the continent.