Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema feels he has developed into a team leader.
The striker, who joined Real Madrid in 2009, has evolved into the team’s figurehead since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018.
Benzema celebrated his performance as Benzema won his first Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday night as he led Madrid to a double with 44 goals in 46 games in La Liga and the Champions League.
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“He is a player who has a lot of responsibility, he feels a lot more as a leader,” Ancelotti told a news conference.
“Their quality has not changed, it is what it was eight years ago. But his responsibility and attitude towards the team has changed. He is much more of a leader. ,
Portugal striker Ronaldo won the trophy four times at Real Madrid, becoming the club’s all-time top goalscorer, with Benzema feeding him in a secondary role.
Manchester City, who were defeated by Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League, were awarded the Club of the Year award.
“The best team was Real Madrid, and they got the prize for it, which is the Champions League,” Ancelotti said. “Great respect for (the city), of course, but for us, the biggest award – we received it in May.”
Real Madrid beat Barcelona in the Clásico on Sunday and took on Elche as league leader on Wednesday, with the Italian coach encouraging his team to stay focused.
“We have to push a little harder,” Ancelotti said. “It’s normal to have more concentration in top level sports, but it’s a little harder to achieve maximum concentration after a game that costs you a lot on a mental and physical level.”
Thibaut Courtois, who won the Yashin Trophy on Monday for goalkeeper of the year for best goalkeeper of the year, will not be available after suffering from sciatica and Andrey Lunin will stand.
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