Ballon d'Or 2021 - Thierry Henry has 'hope' for Karim Benzema award win, Patrice Evra looking at Jorginho

Published 16/11/2021 at 10:04 GMT

With the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony closing in, the award will soon be presented. One of the frontrunners for recognition is Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema. Former French international and Arsenal forward Thierry Henry believes that Benzema is one of the favourites for the award, and Patrice Evra also believes that Chelsea midfielder Jorginho could be in line to win.

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Former French international Thierry Henry believes that Karim Benzema deserves to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or, while Patrice Evra is looking at N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.

Henry also thinks Chelsea midfielder Kante is a worthy contender for the award.

Speaking to Journal du Dimache on Sunday, Henry explained his decision, saying: “Let's be realistic, I hope it can be him [Benzema] or N'Golo Kante."

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The former Arsenal man also suggested that Robert Lewandowski would have won the 2020 award had it not been called off due to the coronavirus.

“Robert Lewandowski would have been elected in 2020 if it had not been cancelled. We can also talk about Jorginho because he won everything [Champions League and Euro 2020]. And there is Leo [Messi], who finally won the Copa America," he continued.

Evra, a one-time France teammate with Henry, agreed with some of his choices.

“In my opinion, this Ballon d'Or is for N'Golo Kante or Jorginho, he deserves it! I do not understand why people say, 'He's just a midfielder' - he won everything, participating a lot in these triumphs," he said.

"In my opinion, it's an injustice [if Jorginho does not win it]. I'm sick of giving it to [Lionel] Messi. What did he win last year? Okay, the Copa America, but with Barcelona, what did he do?

"Last year, Jorginho also won trophies that didn't exist, so for me, it's an absolute injustice [if he does not win it]."