Rio Ferdinand has tipped Karim Benzema for Ballon d’Or glory after the Real Madrid striker netted a devastating hat-trick against Chelsea.
The Frenchman netted a stunning treble for Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Stamford Bridge to give them a commanding 3-1 first leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie. The treble came just weeks after Benzema bagged another staggering hat-trick to oust Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16.
Benzema ranked fourth in last year's Ballon d'Or rankings – agonisingly missing out on a podium finish. Lionel Messi won that award with Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho ranking ahead of the Real Madrid frontman to secure top three finishes in a closely fought vote between the world’s greatest players.
