“Number 1” - Karim Benzema salutes Real Madrid star as he wins award
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has sent a message to Vinicius Junior following the latter's 2023-24 Champions League 'Player of the Season Award' win. The Brazilian was recently handed the trophy, which he had won in June this year.
The 24-year-old was outstanding for Los Blancos last season, scoring 24 goals and registering 11 assists from 39 games in all competitions. He was particularly influential in Real Madrid's triumphant Champions League campaign, scoring six goals and setting up five more from 10 games.
Benzema is well aware about the rigors of playing for the LaLiga champions. The French star, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, spent 14 seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, before leaving last summer.
The 36-year-old registered 354 goals and 165 assists from 648 games for Real Madrid. He appeared 133 times for Los Blancos in the Champions League, scoring 78 times and setting up 27 more. He won the prestigious tournament five times with the Spanish giants.
The French striker was the top scorer of the tournament in the 2021-22 campaign as Real Madrid won the title. He was adjudged the '2021-22 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.' The player has now praised Vinicius following his win this year.
Responding to a photo the Brazilian shared on social media, the Al-Ittihad man labeled him the best.
He commented on Vinicius' post containing an image of the latter holding his trophies: (via Madrid Xtra):
"N1"
Vinicius Junior is also among the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or this year.
Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or with Real Madrid in 2022
Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, following a stunning campaign with Real Madrid. The Frenchman registered 44 goals and 15 assists from 46 games across competitions in the 2021-22 season, helping his team win the league and the Champions League.
He netted 15 times from 12 games in Europe, while also assisting twice. It would be his career's best-ever return in a single season.
Eight Los Blancos players have won the Ballon d'Or since the inception of the award in 1956. Vinicius could be the ninth player and only the fifth from his country to win the award this year.
Real Madrid are well represented in this year's nominee list, with six players making the cut. There's a good chance that the trophy could return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius certainly has the seal of approval from Benzema for the coveted prize.