French Legend Calls Benzema The Only Candidate For The Ballon D'Or: No Players Are On His Level Currently

Karim Benzema (Twitter @realmadrid)

JAKARTA - All the highlights are on Karim Benzema. There are many people who believe that the Real Madrid player will be the winner of the Ballon d'Or in this Monday's gala.

If so, he will be the fifth French to win after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Zinedine Zidane. Zizou became the last French to win it in 1998.

In France, they really felt Benzema had to win it. National team coach Didier Deschamps doesn't even doubt it.

"Obviously, it would be a very, very good gift. I would be very happy for him if he could receive the Ballon d'Or," he told Telefoot.

"He deserves it. Thank you for everything he has accomplished over the past season with his performances and titles with his club. And with us also because he helped us win the Nations League," continued Deschamps.

The France national team coach is not the only big name in French football who believes Benzema is a prominent candidate to receive the coveted award. Lewin, who won it in 1991, felt the same way Deschamps did.

"I think it's Benzema," Papin told Telefoot. "I think he has a good chance and I think he will be the winner of the Ballon d'Or.

"Real Madrid won the Champions League, partly thanks to his performances and today no one is at his level," he added.

Tonight, France Football will announce the winner of the Ballon d'Or and other categories. Several media outlets in Europe reveal the possibility of the winner. Here's the list: Grill Ballon d'Or Male: Karim Benzema juxta Ballon d'Or Wanita: Alexia Putellasmen's Best Yashin Award/Kiper: Thibaut Courtois Kopa Award/Best Young Player: Gavi Gavi Gerd Muller Award/Stricter Terbaik: Robert Lewandowski

However, this is just an estimate. The answer is that we will meet tonight or Tuesday morning WIB.