Valbuena thinks Benzema deserves Ballon d’Or despite past legal battle

Mathieu Valbuena

has supported

Karim Benzema

to be named the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, saying that he does not “hold a grudge” against

after the sex-tape scandal that had his ex-international teammate found guilty of blackmail.

Karim Benzema has his best season this time around as he met the back of the net 44 times to help his side lead a La Liga title and the Champions League.

The 34-year-old is supported to be named a maiden Ballon d’Or winner, which Valbuena thinks would be a reward for him notwithstanding their former legal dispute.

Benzema was found guilty of blackmailing Valbuena when they had a trial last year, with the Los Blancos star being suspended prison sentence and a €75,000 fine.

However, the France international, who now featured in Greece with Olympiacos, revealed that he is able to put personal differences aside when talking about Benzema’s exploits on the field.

"It would be dishonest to say that Benzema does not deserve the Ballon d'Or," 

Valbuena told 

RMC Sport

.

"Yes, he deserves it. I can speak objectively on a sporting level and I can do it happily. There is no problem."

Valbuena believes the matter of the trial is a closed one now and he does not hold any grudges against him.

"I don't hold a grudge at all and I always said what I had to say," he said. "It was a difficult time, but one from which I was able to recover. Now everyone goes their own way."

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