Lionel Messi says there are 'no doubts' that Karim Benzema should be this year's Ballon d'Or winner after Real Madrid clinched the Champions League trophy on Saturday.
Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are also in the conversation for the coveted award, but Saturday's defeat in Paris could hinder their chances. Benzema has scored 44 goals in all competitions for his club this season and he's now arguably the favourite to win the award.
At least he is in the eyes of last year's and eight-time winner, Messi. The Argentina international claimed the award in December, but believes the Real Madrid man is next in line.
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"I think there are no doubts this year," he told Argentine TV station TyC Sports. "It is very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Champions League, being essential from the last 16 onwards in all the games.
Mane and Salah have both had exceptional seasons and the former's triumph with Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers stuck him firmly in the conversation. However, defeat on Saturday now means the odds are stacked against him.
Jurgen Klopp himself admitted ahead of the final that whoever was to win on Saturday would be in with the chance of winning the award. He told reporters last week : "You are either (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi or you won the Champions League final. I think that's the only way you do it.
"That's how it has been in the last few years. So, (winning) would increase a player's chances, definitely."
