Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the next Ballon d'Or must go to French striker Karim Benzema.
Read: Official: Ruthless Real Madrid Win 35th LaLiga Title
Benzema bagged 42nd goal of the 2021/2022 season in Los Blancos' 4-0 win over Espanyol, which wrapped up a 35th LaLiga title for the club on Saturday.
The French striker has been Ballon d'Or shouts for a few weeks now after his performances in both LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League, where he has scored 14 goals so far.
"Benzema has had an excellent season, the one before and the one before that. Life is what it is and nobody can doubt that the next Ballon d'Or has to be Karim Benzema," Perez told Realmadrid TV.
"It's long overdue, too. It should have come sooner. Everyone acknowledges that without a doubt. It's a fact".
When asked about the 35th LaLiga title, Perez added, "This LaLiga title is the 35th in our history, that's a league every three years. I don't want to say that it's normal.
"I inherited a magical club and just after arriving it was named the best club in the 20th century. Over the years I've tried to be up to the challenge. That's what my father taught me. I've been a member for over 60 years, 61 to be exact, and that's what I've witnessed. It's no different for me than anything else I've experienced."
Check out Real Madrid's LaLiga title celebrations in the Spanish capital:
