Ballon d'Or candidate: Benzema move to top 3

L'Equipe claim that the three main contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or are Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.

It is said that the Real Madrid striker has been gaining ground thanks to his recent performances which also included the triumph at the 2021 Nations League.

As per the report, the three criteria for the voting are:

1. Individual performance and team trophies in 2021;

2. Class of the player (talent and fair play);

3. Overall career of the player.

At the club level, Benzema has recorded an astounding 10 goals and seven assists in 10 matches for Madrid.