Benzema's Ballon d'Or triumph gains presidential seal of approval

French president Emmanuel Macron led the flood of tributes after the Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or - the most prestigious individual accolade in world football.

The 34-year-old Frenchman claimed the prize for his goal scoring feats as his team swept to the Spanish league crown and a 14th crown in European club football's most prestigious competition..

Benzema, who played for his home