Madrid's Ballon d'Or: Hazard 13th and Benzema 16th

'France Football' progressively published the Ballon d'Or Top 30 before the start of the gala and this was where the Real Madrid footballers appeared. After years at the top for Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric's triumph in 2018, Madrid were left without representatives in the top 10 for the first time in a decade.

The first to appear was Karim Benzema. The striker occupied the 26th place, drawing with Liverpool midfielder Georgino Wijnaldum. The Frenchman formed part of the top 30 in one of his best years at Madrid.

The striker has had one of his best goalscoring seasons after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure. In 2019, Karim Benzema has scored 33 goals, 32 up until the 12th November, the last date before the vote.

On the other hand, Eden Hazard reached the top spot for Madrid. 'France Football' put the Belgian in 13th place, outside of the top 10 for the Ballon d'Or.

Real Madrid and Chelsea share Hazard's merit, as he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.