Sidney Govou has described former Lyon teammate Karim Benzema as a "more complete" player than compatriot Thierry Henry.
Benzema has enjoyed a stunning campaign in front of goal for Spanish champions Real Madrid, scoring 26 times in all competitions and setting up a further 10.
The Frenchman has now hit 21 goals in back-to-back La Liga campaigns and Govou, who played alongside the striker at Lyon, believes he has exceeded Arsenal great Henry in terms of his all-round play.
"I think he has largely the level of Thierry," he told L'Equipe. "Thierry really impressed me because he was not only a fast player but he had the ball. But Karim is more complete.
"He also has a kind of presence because he is smaller and less athletic. Karim has always been a top player. If you love football, it's impossible not to love him."
Madrid president Florentino Perez last week led calls for Benzema to win the 2020 Ballon d'Or, but this year's award - given to the best player over the last 12 months - has now been scrapped.
Daniel Lewis
