Is this the end of his career? Ballon d'Or favourite Benzema could be heading for prison

Karim Benzema was involved in a blackmailing incident against former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena in 2015 over a sex tape of Valbuena that got into Benzema's possession. Benzema allegedly blackmailed Valbuena and requested for money in exchange for destroying the video.

The trial began yesterday and rapidly took an unexpected shape after a wiretapped conversation of Benzema and his friend who was also accused in the incident was played in court. Mathieu Valbuena and others accused in the case were present in court but Karim Benzema was represented by his lawyers.

The wiretapped conversation all but confirmed that the incident truly happened and that Karim Benzema actually blackmailed Mathieu Valbuena. The initial laid down punishment was a five years imprisonment and with a fine of €70,000 but his lawyers are trying to get him just a 10 months suspended sentence.

Karim Benzema is nominated for the 2021 Ballon d'Or and is believed to be one of the favourites despite not achieving anything with Real Madrid and France. He has been backed by a few legends who believe he should be awarded ahead of other players who have won trophies.