Lionel Messi has claimed that his successor as Ballon d'Or winner is already clear following Karim Benzema's showing in Saturday night's Champions League final.
In November, Messi landed a record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title by scooping the 2021 accolade before ranking second behind Robert Lewandowski in the 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player awards later in the season.
Yet the decision to award the Argentine the gong for 2021 was not without controversy with many prominent voices across football criticising the decision. Messi was joined on the podium by Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho - who won the Champions League and European Championships.
However, there was a great deal of contention that Messi had not performed to the same levels as Lewandowski, who had also missed out on the 2020 title due to the award being cancelled.
Messi does not believe there will be a similar debate this year as he insists that the victor for 2022 is already clear. Benzema, the Real Madrid striker who ranked fourth in last year's voting, is the heavy favourite due to his exploits in La Liga and the Champions League.
Messi told TyC Sports this week when asked about who would collect the prize next year: "I think there are no doubts, it is very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up cementing his position with the Champions League victory.
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"He was fundamental from the Round of 16 onwards in all the games. I think there are no doubts this year."
The Frenchman played a critical role in Madrid's 35th La Liga title but has most notably starred as the club won the Champions League this season. The semi-final display was another magical performance from Benzema after his quickfire hat-trick downed Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 before he bagged another treble against Chelsea in the quarter-final stage of the competition, where he netted a winner against in extra-time of the return leg.
The 34-year-old has been in sparkling form this campaign and has scored a remarkable 44 goals in 46 appearances. That has comfortably surpassed his previous best of 32 strikes for a season back in 2011-12. The forward has scored 15 goals in the Champions League in just 12 appearances this campaign and was named as the Champions League Player of the Season.
