'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Carlo Ancelotti - Karim Benzema
Real Madrid manager and former AC Milan midfielder Carlo Ancelotti has picked Karim Benzema as his favorite for this year's Ballon d’Or award. The Italian believes Benzema is getting better with age, and it is now his 'time to win it'.
“For what he’s doing and for what he has done, he has to be in the list of possible winners. Saying that, Karim’s got time to win it. I somehow doubt this is his final season - he’s like a fine wine; the older he gets the better he is,” Ancelotti said in a pre-match conference.
The Real Madrid striker has led from the front since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the club, and has also regained his spot in the France national team.
This season, the 33-year-old has scored 10 goals in as many matches for Los Blancos across competitions. Benzema netted 30 goals for the club across competitions last season.
#2 Didier Deschamps - Karim Benzema
France's 1998 World Cup-winning captain and current coach of the national team, Didier Deschamps, has also picked Karim Benzema for the 2021 Ballon d’Or award.
"Yes, clearly," Deschamps said during a press conference when asked if Benzema has any chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Benzema was on the scoresheet four times at Euro 2020 but couldn't lead France to the title. But he did help France to the 2021 UEFA Nations League title. He scored both in the semifinals and final, against Belgium and Spain respectively.
Though he isn't one of the clear favorites to win the Ballon d’Or, many have picked him as their favorite for the annual award. This is mainly due to his performances at both the club and international level recently. However, the likes of Lionel Messi, Jorginho and Robert Lewandowski remain the front-runners for the Ballon d’Or.
#1 Rivaldo - Mohamed Salah
Rivaldo is a Ballon d’Or winner, receiving the prestigious award back in 1999. The legendary Brazilian player has picked Liverpool's Mohamed Salah for the 2021 Ballon d’Or award.
"Liverpool's Egyptian forward is producing a fantastic start of season with impressive stats and a sensational goal against Manchester City last weekend. He's one of the best players in the world right now because his astonishing numbers in terms of goals and assists are obtained in the Premier League and Champions League, two of the most difficult competitions in the planet," Rivaldo told Betfair.
The Egyptian scored 31 goals for Liverpool in all competitions last season, and has started the 2021-22 campaign in fine fashion too. Salah has already scored nine goals across competitions for the Reds this season.
Salah's current form has led some to believe he is probably the world's best player, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking realistically, Salah is clearly not among the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or this year. However, if he does continue his scintillating form throughout the ongoing season, he could become a leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or honor in 2022.
