Ballon d'Or 2021 - Real Madrid fan Rafael Nadal backs Karim Benzema to win the award in Paris

Karim Benzema is part of a 30-man shortlist to win the Ballon d'Or which also includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski with Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho widely considered to be in with an outside chance. Nadal, who has won 20 Grand Slams in his professional career and is a Real Madrid fan, believes the award should go to Benzema.

Rafael Nadal has backed Karim Benzema to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or.

He wrote on Twitter: "My admiration as a player, the commitment to sport and professionalism at his age. Good luck and my support for the 2021 golden ball, Benzema"

Last year Benzema was the second highest scorer in La Liga with 30 goals, his joint-highest haul, and has 290 goals for Real since his arrival from Lyon in 2009.

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Benzema has 11 goals in 11 appearances across all club competitions this season and helped France to Nations League glory in the October international break.

The 33-year-old striker has never won the Ballon d'Or, but he has won the French Player of the Year award in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

• Why Real Madrid are pushing for Benzema's Ballon d'Or win
• When is Ballon d'Or 2021?

Speaking to Canal+ over the possibility of bringing home the trophy on November 29, he said: "Win the Ballon d'Or? Yes, that would be one of the many dreams I have had since childhood. Of course I dreamed of it as a kid.

"My idols, whether it's R9 [Ronaldo] or Zizou [Zidane]. They came to Real Madrid and won the Ballon d'Or. And that's one of the little things I think about. Today, I'm not far from it."

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Benzema's former manager Zinedine Zidane also backs the Real talisman to pick up the most prestigious individual award in professional football.

"We are talking about a player who deserves to win this Ballon d'Or," he told Telefoot.

"He's an incredible player, I had the great honour of coaching him. He associates easily with others. He knows how to do everything in the field.

"I hope he can be rewarded with this Ballon d'Or."

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