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Published 09:15 12 Oct 2021 BST
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Speaking to The Athletic recently about managing Ronaldo, he explained that Ancelotti had initially planned to use the Portuguese as a central striker - presumably to accommodate the arrival of Gareth Bale while keeping Angel Di Maria in the front three - with Benzema dropping to the bench. But, as Clement recalled: "Cristiano came to Carlo and said he felt more comfortable playing off the left, coming in, making passes, hitting crosses and shots."
And so Ancelotti adjusted his own plans to keep his star player happy, and while Ronaldo did not explicitly mention Benzema in this discussion, it was their relationship that allowed Ronaldo to come inside, make passes and hit crosses and shots so effectively. He was the perfect foil for Ronaldo, and most crucially, did not mind playing second fiddle for the good of the team.
This selflessness in Benzema the footballer is often overlooked, likely because Benzema the man, or people's perception of him.
Not only is he a completely selfless player, but he's one of the most complete forwards to grace a football pitch this century. Much like a young Wayne Rooney, Benzema has the perfect combination of close control, raw power, intelligent movement, and finishing ability. Add to that the fact he is equally capable shooting with both feet, or with his head, and it's easy to see why Madrid have never felt the need to upgrade on him.
With the Ronaldo/Messi duopoly on its last legs, and Benzema racking up 20 goal contributions across all competitions for club and country this season already, a Ballon d'Or feels like a deserved reward for a decade of being under-appreciated.
He faces tough competition for the award, particularly from Robert Lewandowski, whose own goalscoring record continues to defy nature. Jorginho, who played a crucial role in winning the Champions League and European Championships is also in with a shout. But it would be a crying shame if Benzema was not rewarded for a decade at the top of the game with a Ballon d'Or at some point.
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