Valbuena: To say that Benzema doesn't deserve the Ballon d'Or would be dishonest

Mathieu Valbuena, despite his past legal problems with fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema, does not hold a grudge against the Real Madrid striker and recognises that the No.9 deserves to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or.

The two's sex-tape case was only recently completely put to bed, with Benzema dropping his appeal just last week.

"It would be dishonest to say that Benzema does not deserve the Ballon d'Or," Valbuena told RMC.

"Yes, he deserves it. I can speak objectively on a sporting level and I can do it happily. There is no problem."

In 2021/22, Benzema has scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 appearances, a very respectable tally, and one that makes him the favourite to be awarded the Ballon d'Or 2022 in Paris on October 17.

Valbuena holds no grudge against Benzema

Valbuena also stated that he does not hold a grudge over his former teammate regarding the scandal.

"I don't hold a grudge at all and I always said what I had to say," Valbuena said.

"It was a difficult time, but one from which I was able to recover. Now everyone goes their own way."

Benzema was found guilty in the case, and was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term, which he would have to serve in the event of a repeat offence. He was also fined 75,000 euros.

"In my opinion, the waiver of an appeal means many things, after which everyone can think what they want," Valbuena added.

"For me, the most important thing is to be able to move on, because seven years is nothing."

Benzema's side of the story in the Valbuena sex-tape case

During the trial, Benzema's lawyers defended the thesis that the footballer's actions were exclusively to help Valbuena, without any malicious intent.