Karim Benzema had no problem talking about himself. With a Ballon d’Or, a Champions League won as captain, and a career that is impossible to dispute, the Frenchman put together his own podium of the best forwards in history.
And that’s where the surprise came. Benzema placed himself only in the top 3, but reserved first place for someone else: “I think I’m in the top 3 of the best forwards in history, but the best of them all is Ronaldo Nazario”, declared the former Al Hilal player.
A Ballon d’Or winner recognizing someone else as being above him is not something you see every day. The Phenomenon, with two World Cups and a devastating spell at Real Madrid, remains the standard by which even the best measure themselves.