Karim Benzema Wins French Player of the Year Award

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been voted the French player of the year by France Football magazine after scoring 32 goals in 56 matches for club and country in 2011.

Benzema, who scored crucial goals to help France qualify for next year's European Championship, won the magazine's vote ahead of Barcelona defender Eric Abidal and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was third.

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, last year's winner, finished in fourth place.

The 23-year-old Benzema scored after just 21 seconds in Saturday's "clasico" against Barcelona, but it was not enough as Madrid lost 3-1.

Benzema has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far for Madrid this season.