Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has backed Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

Lionel Messi is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or award, while Benzema won it the previous year.

Over the past few years, Vinicius Jr has been getting into the Ballon d’Or top 10 list, but he now has an opportunity to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time.

Benzema told Marca: “Vini deserves the Ballon d’Or for his season and not only for what he has done this year, but also the previous one, for what he does with the ball. He’s a complete footballer.”

Benzema and Vinicius Jr formed a good partnership on the pitch before the Frenchman eventually went to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr will be up against the likes of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri for the Ballon d’Or award.