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MALLORCA − Tennis superstar, Rafael Nadal, took to social media yesterday to name the player he’s backing for this year’s Ballon d’Or prize − to be awarded on November 29 in Paris – and it isn’t Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead, the Spanish athlete wants Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema, to lift the trophy for the first time in his career as testament to an outstanding year.
“My admiration as a player, the commitment to sports and professionalism at his age,” Rafael wrote on Twitter.
“Good luck and my support for the 2021 Ballon d’Or goes to (Karim) Benzema.”
Karim, who is the top scorer in La Liga this season after netting nine goals in his side’s first nine games, has also struck twice in the Champions League this campaign, racking up an impressive eight assists in all competitions.
The 33-year-old professional has also been in fine form for France, having scored in his country’s UEFA Nations League semi-final and final victories.
Despite the French forward scoring 35 goals for club and country since the turn of the year, Karim is only fifth favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or next month.
While Lionel is the heavy favourite to receive the accolade for an incredible seventh time, Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho and Mohamed Salah also harbour realistic hopes of winning the award.
Rafael actually grew up around football. His uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, was a professional footballer, who played 297 games for Barcelona and 61 times for the Spanish national team.
The former centreback, who won the Spanish title five times during his two-decade career, also represented Spain at three World Cups and Euro 96.
It’s surprising then that Rafael isn’t a Barcelona fan and chooses to support their bitter rivals, Real Madrid, instead.
The 13-time French Open champion even helped Los Blancos secure the signing of Marco Asensio from Real Mallorca in 2015 when the tennis star acted as a middleman between Real president, Florentino Perez, and his Uncle Miguel, who was Mallorca’s sports director at the time.
“My dad and all my family have always been Real Madrid fans,” Rafael said last year.
“When my uncle played for Barcelona, they obviously encouraged him.
“Later, he returned to Mallorca, and since then we have been divided − some are still Barcelona fans, others Real Madrid.” – Agencies, October 27, 2021