Zinedine Zidane Names Karim Benzema His Favourite French Striker of All Time

• Former France captain Zinedine Zidane has called Karim Benzema the best striker in the history of French football
• Benzema became the oldest first-time winner of the Ballon d’Or after bagging the coveted award at the age of 34
• Benzema scored 44 goals and claimed 15 assists in 46 games across competitions for Real Madrid in a stellar campaign for the Spanish champions

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has labeled Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema the greatest striker in the history of French football.

Benzema was crowned the best player in the world after winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career on Monday night, following his successful 2021/22 campaign.

The 34-year-old enjoyed a stunning 2021-22 campaign, scoring 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions to help Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.

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On Monday, October 17, Zidane presented the prestigious individual prize to Benzema in a colorful ceremony in Paris.

And speaking after the event, 'Zizou' paid Benzema the ultimate compliment, saying he is the French striker of all-time.

“The best striker in the history of French football? I don’t like to say ‘he’s the best’, everyone has their favourite player. Some will say that it is Jean-Pierre Papin with his exceptional goals, others will speak of Michel Platini," Zidane told L'Equipe, via Sportbible.

"For me, it is Karim, yes, because I have been close to him and I know what he is worth. In any case, he deserves to be at the top.

"I wish him to continue breaking records and shining on the pitch for a long time, both with Real Madrid and with the French national team. He is capable of shining even more.”

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Henry praises Benzema

Meanwhile, Arsenal icon, Thierry Henry is feeling vindicated after witnessing Karim Benzema win his first Ballon d’Or award on Monday night in Paris.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner revealed he has been a fan of Benzema for over 15 years and believed the forward had the capacity to win the best player award in his career.

Henry revealed that he was laughed at for supporting Benzema instead of multiple award winners Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Sportskeeda reports.

Henry shocked at Richards' Benzema opinion

Sports Brief earlier reported that Thierry Henry has expressed his disbelief at fellow pundit Micah Richards after the Englishman revealed he had only just started rating the Real Madrid striker, Give Me Sport reports.

Richards had admitted that he's only just starting to rate Benzema after the forward scored a first-half hattrick against PSG in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 last season.