Benzema named France's best

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been voted French player of the year by France Football magazine. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a successful 2011 during which he has blossomed under Real coach Jose Mourinho, and he ended the 2010/11 season with 26 goals. Benzema scored after just 23 seconds against Barcelona on Saturday, the quickest El Clasico goal in history. The France international was honoured to receive the award and join past winners such as Zinedine Zidane. He told France Football: "It is a pleasure to win an individual trophy. When I see the previous winners - Zidane, [Thierry] Henry and other major players - it makes me proud to join them on the list."