It's hard to imagine football's most prestigious individual award, which will be handed out on October 17, escaping the Madrid centre-forward who, at 34, has just had the best season of his career.
With 44 goals and 15 assists in 45 club matches this season, Benzema took his team to a 35th La Liga title at the end of April, before a possible "decimocuarta" (14th) unexpected in C1.
"He's one of the best players in the world, probably the best centre-forward in the world and perhaps the most underrated player in history," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement. an interview with AFP.
The joy of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, after his goal scored against Chelsea, during the Champions League quarter-final second leg, April 12, 2022 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP / Archives
"He has taken on even more weight on his shoulders. He has scored goals but not only that, he pushes the team, even in difficult times," added Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
In the event of a double at Saint-Denis, the former Lyonnais could even equal the record for goals in a C1 campaign of his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (17 in 2013-2014).
"Records are made to be broken," smiled the French striker in an interview on the UEFA website.
The joy of Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema after his goal scored against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16 second leg on March 9, 2022 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium GABRIEL BOUYS AFP / Archives
Benzema, "the excellence"
"It's excellence, it's Karim, of course. (...) Me, I'm all for it being a French player (who has it, editor's note). Because of what he does with his club throughout the year, and with us also in the France team, yes, he deserves it", assured the French coach Didier Deschamps in an interview with beIN Sports on Sunday.
A triumph on Saturday would kill all suspense: barring a twist, Benzema would become the first Frenchman to be crowned Ballon d'Or since his former coach Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
On the field as in the votes, stands in front of him the ultimate barrier which separates him from the trophy: Sadio Mané, in the running to become the second African to win the Ballon d'Or after the Liberian George Weah in 1995.
Liverpool striker Sadio Mané overflows Aston Villa defender Matty Cash, during the 16th day of the Premier League, December 11, 2021 at Anfield Road Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP / Archives
"It's sad that no other African player has won it since Weah," he said.
"We are going to make everything win the Champions League, and then we will see what happens with the Ballon d'Or."
For the Ballon d'Or, "you have to be either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo or have won the Champions League. By winning on Saturday, it will increase your chances," assured his coach Jürgen Klopp.
If he scores less (23 goals in all competitions), the 30-year-old striker is the spearhead of a team that has won almost everything.
With the Champions League, Liverpool would complete a nice treble, in addition to the FA Cup and the League Cup, which would console them for the Premier League which escaped them for a single point, in favor of Manchester City.
In the jersey of Senegal, in two different matches, he scored the shot on goal which offered the country its first African Cup of Nations at the beginning of February, then the one which sent it to the World Cup-2022 at the end of March.
Striker Sadio Mané is about to lift the African Cup of Nations trophy, after Senegal's victory in the final against Egypt (0-0, 4-2 pens), on February 6, 2022 at the Stade Olembé in Yaoundé (Cameroon) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP/Archives
Both times it was against team-mate Mohamed Salah's Egypt.
Mané, "a machine"
"He's in the form of his life. It's a pleasure to see him play," praised Klopp.
Despite this, after six years, his future on the banks of the Mersey is very uncertain.
The shadow of Salah, who also wonders about his future, makes the Senegalese want to go elsewhere.
Senegalese Liverpool striker Sadio Mané scores the second goal against Villareal in their Champions League semi-final first leg on April 27, 2022 at Anfield Road Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP
With a year of contract to honor and 30 years since April 10, the interest shown by Bayern Munich or Paris SG cannot leave him indifferent if he wants to give himself a last challenge with a big contract.
According to several media, on Friday, the Bavarian club would be on pole to welcome him.
Striker Sadio Mané thanks the supporters after Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Villareal in the Champions League return match on May 3, 2022 at La Ceramica Stadium in Vila-real Paul ELLIS AFP / Archives
"I will answer after the Champions League. Whether I leave or stay, I will answer after," he smiled at Sky Sports' microphone on Wednesday.
For Klopp, "he will be an important player wherever he plays next season".
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