All the spotlights are on Karim Benzema. There are many, very many, who believe that the Real Madrid player will be the winner of the Ballon d'Or at this Monday's gala.

If so, he would become the fifth Frenchman to win it after Kopa, Platini, Papin and Zidane. The last Frenchman to win it was the latter in 1998.

In France, they strongly feel Benzema must win it. National team coach Didier Deschamps has no doubts about it.

"Obviously, it would be a very, very nice reward. I would be very happy for him if he could receive the Ballon d'Or," he told Telefoot.

"He deserves it. Thanks to everything he has achieved during the season with his performances and the titles with his club. And with us too because he helped us win the Nations League," Deschamps continued.

Papin lavishes praise

But the France coach is not the only heavyweight in French football who believes Karim is the standout candidate to receive the coveted award. Jean-Pierre Papin, who won it in 1991, feels the same way as Deschamps.

"I think it will be Benzema," Papin told Telefoot. "I think he has a good chance and I think he will be the winner of the Ballon d'Or.

"Real Madrid won the Champions League thanks, in part, to his performances and today no one is at his level," he added.