Karim Benzema Declares Vinicius Junior as the Best Player in the World Today

Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, has made a strong statement, calling Vinicius Junior the best player in the world right now, as reported by Sportskeeda. This endorsement follows the surprising omission of Vinicius from the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, with Manchester City’s Rodri taking the prestigious award instead.

In an interview with El Chiringuito TV, Benzema praised his former Real Madrid teammate, saying, “Vinicius Jr is the best player in the world.” Given Benzema’s own accomplishments at the top level of football, his words carry significant weight.Benzema also shared a personal moment, revealing that he reached out to Vinicius Junior after the Ballon d’Or announcement.

“I sent him a message and he was sad. It’s normal,” Benzema said. “It’s tough when everyone expects you to win, and then just hours before the announcement, you find out you’re not going to.”Benzema’s concern for Vinicius Junior’s mental state highlights the emotional toll such a snub can have.

Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in Vinicius’ resilience, adding, “I hope he is mentally strong. I spoke to him yesterday, and he’s tough enough to keep working hard. One day, he will get the Ballon d’Or.”Vinicius Junior had a stellar season, registering 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 matches, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s success in winning La Liga, the Champions League, and the Supercopa de España.

Benzema’s words of praise reflect the remarkable development of Vinicius Junior into a world-class talent. The two formed a potent partnership at Real Madrid, with 186 games played together and 42 goals between them, creating a strong bond. Benzema’s ongoing support shows his unwavering belief in Vinicius’ ability to rule the global football stage.