Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard Name Player Who Deserves the Ballon d'Or After the Champions League Final

• Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard have claimed that no one deserves the Ballon d'Or more than Karim Benzema
• The two Premier League legends contend Benzema is the clear favourite to cart home the award, with Rio claiming it would be a 'travesty' if the Frenchman does not get it
• Benzema, who has scored an eyewatering 44 goals this season played an integral role in Real Madrid's Champions League triumph

Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard have backed Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d'Or award this year.

The Real Madrid attacker is a clear frontrunner for the prestigious award after an incredible season with the Spanish club.

Daily Mail reports Frenchman captained his side to Champions League glory on Saturday night, May 28, in Paris as Real sunk Liverpool 1-0 to secure the European title for the 14th time.

While Benzema was not on target during the encounter, he played a central role in Real's victory.

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The Champions League victory was the forward's fifth time in his career as he ended the season with an eyewatering 44 goals in 45 games.

Karim Benzema backed to win the Ballon d'Or

Gerrard and Ferdinand have now backed Benzema to crown his fantastic year with the Ballon d'Or.

According to the duo, no one deserves the individual prize more than the Real Madrid ace, with Rio claiming it would be a travesty if the Frenchman misses out on the diadem.

"The argument is over with the Ballon d'Or. If Benzema doesn't get it it's a travesty," Ferdinand told BT Sport.

On his part, Gerrard noted:

"Young kids watching the game, they look at strikers, they look at goals, but if you want to be a top all-round centre-forward look at Benzema."

"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," the Aston Villa boss added.

Sadio Mane spotted comforting teammates after UCL defeat

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane was a class act after his side's Champions League final defeat.

The Senegal international was spotted comforting his teammates after the full-time whistle of the clash.

Mane's touch of class came amid claims the former Southampton winger could dump the Reds for a move to Bayern Munich.