Ronaldo: Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or, I've been saying it for years and getting criticised - 7M sport

Ronaldo: Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or, I've been saying it for years and getting criticised



Posted Wednesday, April 13, 2022 by Marca.com

Ronaldo: Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or, I've been saying it for years and getting criticised

Brazilian legend praises Real Madrid striker

Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario has an authority that few others in the world can boast when it comes to giving an opinion on the Ballon d'Or, having won it twice himself, and he believes that Real Madrid stiker Karim Benzema deserves to be awarded the coveted trophy this year.

Only Marco Van Basten, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff (all three), Cristiano Ronaldo (five) and Lionel Messi (seven) have more Ballons d'Or in their trophy cabinets than Ronaldo Nazario. Benzema, meanwhile, has none, something which the Brazilian believes is long overdue changing.

"Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or, I've been saying it got years and getting criticised," Ronaldo told Alessandro Del Piero on Sky Sport Italia.

"But he deserves it, he's a great forward."

The current Real Valladolid president also spoke about his career, looking back contentedly on the respect he has earned and still enjoys from fans across the world.

"I have a lot of good memories but what surprises me every time is the affection people have for me wherever I go," said Ronaldo.

"I always get a lot of respect from everyone. The results on the pitch, what I achieved with Brazil and my clubs...it was a beautiful career."

Ronaldo also revealed that he was close to staying at Barcelona before his move to Inter Milan.

"There was an agreement to renew with Barcelona, but four days later the president called me to say I couldn't stay," said Ronaldo.

"He said I could talk to other clubs and the Nerazzurri came in quickly and paid the buyout clause. Serie A back then really was the best in the world."



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