Arsenal’s technical Edu Gaspar has praised Real Madrid star Karim Benzema on his Instagram story after he was crowned a Ballon d’Or winner for the first time in his career.
The 34-year-old beat Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane, previously of Liverpool, and Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne to that coveted individual prize.
This has been a long time coming for the striker, who helped Madrid win the La Liga title, as well a 14th European crown last season in his homeland of Paris.
Benzema joined Madrid in 2009, and during his time at the club, he has seen many huge stars come and go, no more so than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The France international watched the now-Manchester United forward become one of the world’s greats, as well as picking up numerous Ballon d’Or honours of his own.
There is a picture doing the rounds of Benzema, with a big smile on his face, watching on in the background as Ronaldo is being handed one of his five Ballon d’Or trophies when he was at Madrid.
Arsenal’s man in the boardroom reacted to that picture with the following message on his IG story.
“Until you get your turn, know how to applaud others,” wrote Edu.
BENZEMA AWARD DESERVED
At 34, Benzema is showing the rest of the world that you can still produce the best football of your career.
And, at the right time, he will be leading the world champions France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He wasn’t part of the 2018 team that triumphed in Russia, so for himself, Benzema will want to taste that glory and put his name alongside the likes of Zidane and Thierry Henry.
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