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Real Madrid president Florentino hails Ballon d'Or winner Benzema: Mix of Ronaldo and Zidane

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is delighted for Karim Benzema after he was named this year's Ballon d'Or winner.

Florentino accompanied Benzema to Paris for the ceremony.

He later told Cadena SER: "At last Benzema has his due as the best player in the world. He has deserved it for years because he is the best in the last three or four years.

“He's a nine, a mix of Ronaldo and (Zinedine) Zidane, he does those two jobs at the same time. He is a crack. He moves the lead like Zidane did and shoots on goal like Ronaldo Nazario did.

“There was Figo, there was Zidane, there was Ronaldo and there was Benzema and we all took a picture together. Four figures, for me it has enormous sentimental value. There are four Ballon d'Ors."

Florentino then declared Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes as "cracks", before saying both could win the Ballon d'Or in the future.

He added: "Sure, I see them both as Ballon d'Ors, we have to see how they evolve. Real Madrid only looks at the players they have and it's not bad for us. (Eduardo) Camavinga, (Fede) Valverde, (Eder) Militao, (Aurelien) Tchouameni... youngsters with a promising future."

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