Lionel Messi backs 'spectacular' Karim Benzema to win Ballon d'Or

Seven-time winner says there is 'no doubt' Real Madrid star should lift the award this year

Karim Benzema and Marcelo carry the Champions League trophy at at Catedral de la Almudena as Real Madrid celebrate with an open top bus parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players pose with the Champions League and La Liga trophies outside the Catedral de la Almudena. Reuters

Real Madrid supporters celebrate at Cibeles square while awaiting their team's arrival. Getty

Real Madrid supporters celebrate while awaiting the team's arrival at Cibeles square. Getty

Real Madrid fans gather at Cibeles square to celebrate their team's 14th European Cup. AFP

Real Madrid players offer their 14th European Cup trophy to the Virgin of La Almudena at La Almudena Chatedral. EPA

Real Madrid supporters celebrate while awaiting their team's arrival at Cibeles square. Getty

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti waves from the regional government headquarters in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid celebrate with the Champions League and La Liga trophies at the regional government headquarters in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid players on an open-top bus during the trophy parade in front of the City Hall in Madrid. AP

Real Madrid players on an open-top bus during the trophy parade in front of the City Hall in Madrid. AP

Real Madrid player Marcelo holds the trophy next to the Cibeles statue during the trophy parade. AP

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and his players enjoy the open top bus parade. EPA

Real Madrid players Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, and Marcelo celebrate on an open top bus with the Champions League trophy. Reuters

Marcelo kisses the fountain of Cybele during the victory parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players Marcelo, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during an open top bus parade. EPA

Real Madrid fans pack the streets during the victory parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate on an open-top bus after winning the Champions League. Getty

Real Madrid players wave from an open-top bus at the Cibeles square in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates from an open-top bus during a parade through the streets of Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and teammates celebrate in the Santiago Bernabeu after winning the Champions League. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate with the Champions League trophy in the Santiago Bernabeu. Reuters

Carlo Ancelotti waves as he walks on the pitch with his players during the club's celebration of their 14th European Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu. AFP

Marcelo is tossed in the air by teammates during the club's celebration of their 14th European Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu. AFP

Gareth Bale during celebrations at Santiago Bernabeu after Real Madrid won Champions League. Getty

Karim Benzema holds the trophy during celebrations at Santiago Bernabeu. Getty

Lionel Messi believes there is “no doubt” that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win his first Ballon d’Or this year.

Messi has claimed a record seven of the awards as the world's best player, but saw his new club Paris Saint-Germain knocked out by Real in the round of 16 of the Champions League after Benzema scored a hat-trick in the second half of the return leg.

Benzema netted another four goals against Chelsea in the quarter-finals and three against Manchester City in the semi-finals — including the decisive penalty in the second leg — before Real defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final on Saturday. Benzema was also the top scorer in the Spanish league as Madrid won the title in dominant fashion.

“There's no doubt, it's very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year,” Messi said in an interview with Argentine TV channel TyC Sports when asked if Benzema should get the prestigious award. “I think there is no doubt this year.”

In total, Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 matches with his club this season, and equalled Madrid great Raul as the club’s second-highest scorer with 323 goals, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo's tally of 451.

While Real knocked out a quartet of European giants on their way to the Champions League triumph, Messi wasn't overly impressed with the team's style of play. Madrid needed big comebacks against both PSG and Manchester City and had Benzema to thank both times.

“Out of the blue they score against you, and the match changes automatically,” Messi said. “Madrid was not the best team in this Champions League, there were better teams.”

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The 34-year-old Messi is training with Argentina in Bilbao for the “Finalissima” — a friendly between the Copa America winners and European champions Italy on Wednesday.

Messi could find himself going up against Benzema again at the World Cup in Qatar this year — both Argentina and France are among the main contenders — but insisted that defending champions France should be considered the favourites.

“France is an impressive team, (four years) ago we said they could be candidates and they ended as winners. I believe the hit they took at the Euros (being eliminated by Switzerland) made them stronger,” Messi said.

“(Argentina) can fight anyone and will make it hard for any rival. That doesn't mean we are the favourites to be world champions or any of that. It means we will fight against anyone.”