Benzema Named Best French Footballer of 2012

Congratulations are in order for Karim Benzema, who has been chosen by France Football as the best French footballer of 2012.  Not a bad 25^th birthday present, huh?

"I am very happy to receive the prize for the second year running.  It is good for me and it is an honor that Zidane presented it because for me he is the best French player in history.  It is a dream that it was him who presented me with the award."

 

The forward beat Ribery and Lloris, who were also in the running. 

2012 certainly has been good for the Frenchman as he was on of the 23 candidates for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, which has now boiled down to its three final candidates – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Andres Iniesta.  With no hesitation, Benzema supported his blanco brother, Cristiano, stating that the entire club is behind him.  He went on further to proudly add that RM was the most represented with six players on the initial list.

Speaking of Real Madrid, the magazine asked how he was doing in the club due to rumors circulating of him leaving for PSG.  He had the following to say in response, "I don't know anything about that.  I'm very good in Real Madrid and it's where I want to be.  This club continues to be my dream and I have no other in my head.  It's the biggest club in the world and our history together has not ended.  If the president asks me now to renew my contract, I'll sign it immediately."  Thank you, Benze, for clearing that up.  You had me worried for a second...

When asked about Eric Adibal, Benzema candidly stated that he had voted for Adibal as best French player for 2012 as a way of honoring him and his courage.  "Eric is winning the most beautiful of games, the most important one for him: the fight against his illness," said the forward.  "I dedicate this trophy to him because he's given all of us a great lesson.  He's a great person.  He's always there for me.  We talk once in a while.  When I got to the first team of Lyon, he took me under his wing.  He protected me.  It doesn't matter that he's in Barça and I'm in Madrid.  I'm like his younger brother." 

Karim Benzema, here's looking to next year and being named best French footballer for a third year running.

written by Gail Hidalgo