After playing a vital role in Madrid turning around a deficit to Barcelona at the summit of La Liga, Benzema might ultimately have been seen as a candidate to win it this year, and he admits that it has been something of a goal in his career.
When asked on his YouTube account if he thinks about winning the gong, he 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.
He further said“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.”
Another player in consideration for the Ballon D’or is his team-mate Sergio Ramos, whose goalscoring exploits were critical to Madrid lifting the Spanish crown. He is a player Benzema rates as one of the two toughest defenders he has ever faced.
When questioned over his most difficult defensive opponent, he said: “There is not one, there are two. Ramos and Raphael Varane, when I face them in each training session.”
Asked if he would trade the four
Champions League titles he has won with Madrid for the 2018 World Cup, he said: “No, not at all.
“I regret nothing. And what I’m most proud of is having been a champion at Real Madrid.”
Benzema will hope to continue Madrid’s run of success in the Champions League, but they must turn around a 2-1 deficit to
Manchester City away from home in the last 16 if they are to progress to the latter stages of the competition in Lisbon.
