Forward "Paris Saint-Germain" Lionel Messi, not included in the list of contenders for the "Golden Ball" for the first time since 2005, named the player who deserved the award.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is one of them, he said.
"I think there will be no doubt this year. Karim Benzema had an exciting season," Messi tweeted Football Espana.
Messi, 35, has won the Ballon d'Or seven times. He is the current recipient of the award.
Benzema, 34, scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 games in the 2021/22 season. Together with Real Madrid, the Frenchman won the championship and the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on 17 October 2022 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
bbabo.Net