Ex-Real Madrid star says Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or after Man City brace

Former Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has reacted to the latest Karim Benzema performance after the seven-goal thriller at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-3 in a pulsating first leg semi-final encounter in the UEFA Champions League.

Benzema netted a goal in either half to take his tally this season in the competition to 14 goals in 10 matches.

After the match at the Etihad, his ex-teammate, Ozil took to his official social media page to crown the 35-year-old Frenchman, who has now scored a total of 41 goals in all competitions for Real this campaign, as the next Ballon d'Or winner.

"What a fantastic game," Ozil posted on his Twitter account moments after the match.

"Give my boy Benzi the Ballon D'Or 👑☝🏼 #MCIRMA," he added.

ALSO READ: How fans reacted to the 7-goal thriller between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad.

Benzema might as well be crowned the next Ballon d'Or winner after proving to be the main man for Real Madrid once again.

His two goals on the night mean Real Madrid go into the second leg in Madrid next week still with a chance to progress to the final.

Things could have been worse for Benzema and Los Blancos after a dominant opening 45 minutes from their hosts, Manchester City.

Real could have found themselves down by as much as 4-0 had Pep Guardiola's men taken their chances in the first half of the tie.

Algerian playmaker, Riyad Mahrez, was guilty of missing one of two big chances for the English champions after Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus' goals had the home side leading 2-0 in the opening 11 minutes.

Benzema went on to pull one back just after the hour mark as Los Blancos survived a half-hour of storms from the Cityzens.