Why Benzema's Ballon d'Or snub could hinder Mbappe to Real Madrid

Martin Macdonald

• 1 Dec 2021 12:11 GMT
• 4 min read

There were more than a few disappointed faces at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday when Lionel Messi won a record seventh trophy ahead of Robert Lewandowski in second and Jorginho in third.

It was a controversial victory for the Argentine as many feel that Lewandowski deserved the award, while conspiracy theories pointed to the fact that the award is given by France Football and Messi is now plying his trade in France.

One man who will feel he deserved better is Karim Benzema, who has been in sensational form for Real Madrid over the past year.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he didn't even make the podium and that is not only a kick in the teeth for him, but also for Real Madrid.

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Los Blancos have had one of their players in the top three of the Ballon d'Or in eight out of the last 10 years, and the two years they haven't have crucially came in the last two ceremonies.

There is a feeling that the stock of the club may be falling slightly.

Vinicius Junior, despite his vast improvements on the pitch over the past 18 months, did not even make the top 30.

How does this impact Mbappe?

Kylian Mbappe's contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer of 2022 and it is widely expected that he will join Real Madrid as a free agent.

However, there is speculation that Benzema's recent Ballon d'Or snub may lead to Mbappe thinking twice about moving to Real Madrid as he may have a better chance of winning the award himself in the future if he stays in Paris.

The editor-in-chief of Spanish outlet AS, Santi Gimenez, speculates:

"The message that the Ballon d'Or gives is quite important. They have said 'if you stay in Paris you have a better chance of winning it than in Madrid'. It seems to me something important especially for cases like Mbappe."

Why does Mbappe want to leave PSG?

A new era at Real Madrid

Real Madrid are one of the game’s great clubs but are in the midst of a downer presently. Financially, they are stretched, with their team not a shadow of what they once were. Indeed, they are coming off a season in which they failed to win a single trophy.

Equally, though, they are heading to the renovated Bernabeu, which promises to be one of the glittering arenas of the game.

It would be no surprise if Mbappe feels that he could be the player to lift the club back towards its former level and be remembered as an icon of this effectively new arena.

History

Forget the record number of Champions Leagues that Real Madrid have won compared to PSG, what attracts Mbappe to Real Madrid is the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his great hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has supported the club since he was a boy, when he idolised Ronaldo, who at that time turned out for Los Blancos.

Mbappe seems destined to play at Real Madrid for this reason, but while it is doubtful that it will be this season, it could certainly be next.