UEFA Best Player: who was the best player of the Champions League? The clear choice – Karim Benzema of Real Madrid

The world’s most prestigious club competition, the Champions League, has just finished another year. The Ruik.cz portal, which represents the Czech Republic in the Best Player UEFA poll of the German magazine Kicker, as usual, searched for the best player of the competition, which featured the best clubs of the continent. The judges unanimously agreed that Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema deserves the crown.

The judges’ votes were in agreement this time, some would have found it almost boring and uninteresting. They praised a single player, an unconquerable goalscorer who broke down one opposing defence after another on his way to triumph for the Spanish royal club. However, they also presented a comprehensive description of what an exceptional person the French international is.

Former Czechoslovakia and Czech national team striker Günter Bittengel directly enjoyed what Benzema did at a position the former Dukla Prague and German Bayer Uerdingen player knew so well. “The best scorer in the Champions League, it was only thanks to him that Real went through to the final,” Bittengel praised his thirty-four-year-old colleague. “He turned important games around, he was always dangerous,” he stresses.

And in his opinion, Benzema also hit the net for Liverpool in the final. “His goal should have been valid,” he recalls the situation in the 43rd minute, when the ball bounced to Benzema after a double run by the defenders and he scored from an offside position. “The rules sometimes make everything pretty muddy,” Bittengel marvels that the referees did not concede the goal after a VAR review and robbed the Kings of their final shot.

Milan Štěrba, the chief commentator of the Nova Sport television station, which broadcasts the Champions League and devotes extensive space to the competition, also has words of admiration. “He had his best year in the Champions League, scoring goals, just like in the Spanish league, when he was also the best passer,” Štěrba emphasised this aspect.

“To score goals and also contribute to them is fascinating,” he complimented Benzema. “The clear favourite for the Ballon d’Or of the best footballer in the world,” he knows who should dominate the prestigious France Football magazine poll.

Karel Brettschneider, bookmaker at the Chance bookmaker, is of the same opinion. “At an already advanced football age, he has had the season of his life and at the end of it he will most likely take the Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world,” he predicts.

His choice was clear. “There is not much to think about this season. Karim Benzema played an absolutely crucial role in Real’s progress to the final,” recalls Brettschneider. “He was overshadowed by the fabulous performance of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but that doesn’t change anything. Without Benzema, the White Ballet would have said goodbye to the competition long before its climax,” he points out.

Permanent jury member Erich Brabec notes another circumstance. “After Ronaldo left, he knew that the team would rely on him and he accepted the responsibility,” he reveals another of Benzema’s virtues.

Also that he found a new partner for his shooting appetites. “He gets on very well with Vinícius Junior, they play together blind,” Brabec praises the cooperation of the Spanish strikers.

In conclusion, he again recalls the excellence of the French shooter. “He has maintained a steady excellent form throughout the season, which is admirable,” Brabec concludes his praise.

Jury vote::

Günter Bittengel:: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Erich Brabec:: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Karel Brettschneider:: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Milan Sterba:: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Source: UEFA