Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos insisted his team-mate Karim Benzema has impressed more this year than Lionel Messi.
“[Messi’s] award is absolutely not deserved,” Kroos said on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast. “There is no doubt that Messi, with Cristiano, has been the player of the last decade, but this year there should’ve been others ahead of him.
“For me, Karim would have been the number one if you were really looking for the best individual player of the last year. I can see from close quarters what an outstanding footballer he is.”
Ronaldo over Messi
“When I see how many decisive goals Cristiano has scored lately – Manchester United are still in the Champions League thanks to him alone – then, in my eyes, Cristiano would have also come ahead of Messi,” Kroos added.
