The president of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët has reacted to the 4th place of Karim Benzema in the Ballon d’Or 2021 edition held last Monday saying that the Real Madrid striker should have been placed better.
Karim Benzema “deserved the podium” but his fourth place at the Ballon d’Or 2021 “proves his qualities,” said Noël Le Graët, president of the FFF told AFP on Tuesday.
The prestigious individual award went to Lionel Messi, winner of the Copa America in July and crowned on Monday for the seventh time.
On the French side, Benzema failed at the foot of the podium, ahead of N’Golo Kanté (fifth). Kylian Mbappé is ninth.
“I think Benzema deserved the podium. Messi is unmatched, even if it is more the record (which made the difference, editor’s note) than the last twelve months which are not, I believe, the best of his career. Benzema, who finds himself fourth, is not the best place but it proves his qualities, ”said Le Graët.
