Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has sent a heartwarming message to Real Madrid striker and former teammate Karim Benzema after the forward won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award. The Frenchman was handed the trophy after a year that saw him guide Los Blancos to a huge La Liga and Champions League double.
Benzema also earned an unlikely recall to the France national team under Didier Deschamps, playing as the focal point they needed going into the World Cup later this year. Plenty flocked to social media to congratulate the 34-year-old for winning the award, but Ozil's was particularly touching.
"My boy Benzi - the best player in the world," the playmaker started in his tweet. "I've always said you will win this trophy and you deserve it so much. Proud of you my brother."
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While both became superstars in their own right at Real Madrid together, Ozil made the switch to the Emirates Stadium to play under Arsene Wenger. The former Germany international enjoyed some good campaigns in the Premier League, picking up more than 90 goal contributions in just over 180 appearances in the competition.
While things ended on a sour note, he could have ended up playing with the affectionately nicknamed "Benzi" during his time at Arsenal too. That's because former boss Arsene Wenger revealed last year that the club made a move for the striker but could not agree a deal at the time - opting to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang afterwards.
With Benzema staying in the Spanish capital and becoming one of the best in the world in recent years, the Gunners may now be facing regret they didn't manage to secure his signature.
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