This Thursday evening, Karim Benzema received the trophy for best UEFA of the year ahead of Belgians Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne.
A new distinction while waiting for the Ballon d’Or? Just before the draw for the group stages of the Champions League, UEFA took the opportunity to award The Best trophy for the best player of the season. Named with his teammate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Karim Benzema obtained this trophy almost logically. If the Real Madrid goalkeeper had an XXL season and Pep Guardiola’s playmaker still delighted this season, KB9 still seemed untouchable.
The French international who is more than ever favorite in the race for the Ballon d’Or has had a breathtaking season this year. He had never been so effective in his career and so decisive when his team relied heavily on him, especially in the final sprint. As a result, in 46 matches, the player trained at OL scored 44 goals and delivered 15 assists. Exceptional statistics also allowed Real Madrid to achieve a Champions League – La Liga double. “I’m really happy and proud to be here. I thank Real Madrid, my president, my coach, and my teammates. The most important thing is to win the collective trophies. When you do things right on the pitch, individual rewards come. The most memorable moment? In the return match against PSG at home with the help of the public, we managed to turn the game around to go far and give us a lot of confidence. Football is difficult. There are times when you get dominated and others when you never let go. In Madrid, you never give up. Even if we lose, we can manage to go up the score”, he confided after the presentation of the trophy.
Trophies in club and selection
Indeed, this year, Real Madrid has produced a breathtaking Champions League campaign. By eliminating PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and finally Liverpool, each time with mind-blowing scenarios, the people of Madrid left their mark on the year. And each time KB9 was decisive and even heroic. In C1 this season, he has also scored 15 goals in 12 games. He only needed two small goals to reach the record for top scorer in an edition held by Cristiano Ronaldo (17 goals). What necessarily to talk about him? The Frenchman was also able to count on the confidence of his coach Carlo Ancelotti. And KB9 took the opportunity to thank him. “Ancelotti is the best coach in the world. With all the players, he is straight. He gives us a lot of confidence. He talks a little before the matches because we know what we have to do. I have a good relationship with him, I hope he stays in Madrid for a long time. Because it’s the best.”
In addition to these two club successes, the Frenchman also added a trophy to the France team. At the start of the season, he won the Nations League by being decisive once again. A trophy that also counts even if it is not yet priceless for football fans. But beyond the goals, KB9 also shone with his sense of the game and his elegance on the pitch. It is also what could have made the difference this year and what logically earned him this trophy for best UEFA player of the season.
