Luka Modric says Benzema is the man for the Ballon D'Or.

Karim Benzema is expected to win the Ballon d'Or this year, according to Luka Modric. 

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the Ballon d'Or is returning this year, and there is already a lot of discussion about who should win it. 

Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Karim Benzema are among the favorites on the extended list. 

Last season, Benzema enjoyed his best scoring season of his career, scoring 22 goals in La Liga, and he capped off a strong season by winning the Nations League with France last week. 

In Spain, the push to win Benzema the award, which would be his first, is gaining steam.

And the latest praise for the Frenchman comes from colleague and 2018 winner of the accolade, Modric. 

"We'll see." There are several contenders who have a chance to win. Karim is one of them for me," Modric said ahead of Real Madrid's encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk in his pre-match press conference. 

"I hope he wins because he deserves it based on his performance this year and his trajectory." 

"Above all, the last several years." He's always been at the top of his game. He's also won a title with France, which is significant in these competitions. I hope he wins because he is deserving.

Given Messi's outstanding season last season, Benzema faces a tough task in winning the award. The Argentine superstar also won the Copa América with Argentina. 

Lewandowski is a major threat, having scored 41 goals in the Bundesliga alone last season.