The simplest person who may want to likely prevent him getting it became Thibaut Courtois, particularly due to his overall performance within the very last in opposition to Liverpool. However, Karim Benzema changed into given the award for the pleasant participant of the 2021-22 Champions League this Tuesday.
Despite the reality he did not score on the Stade de France, the reality is that the Frenchman has been key inside the remaining sixteen, region-finals and semi-finals against PSG, Chelsea and Man City respectively. He netted a hat-trick in opposition to the Parisians at the Santiago Bernabeu to complete the comeback and ship his group into the quarters.
He additionally completed towards the defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and netted his second hat-trick in European encounters. He changed into also key in the second leg with a intention in greater-time to book their place within the semi-finals. Guardiola's facet were now not allow off either.
At the Etihad, he netted a brace which include a Panenka penalty as Madrid handiest misplaced the first leg four-three. In Madrid, in more-time, Benzema scored a 95th min penalty to send Madrid into the very last in Paris.
In 12 Champions League matches, the French striker scored 15 goals and gave assists this season. These numbers imply he's in pole role to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
