Lyon striker Karim Benzema has been named France’s Player of the Year awarded by his fellow professionals.
The 20-year-old French international has scored 23 goalsthis season and is expected to be one of the key players for his country at next month’s Euro 2008 Championships in Austria and Switzerland.
“I never dreamt I would win this trophy, but I am absolutely delighted,” he said.
“What matters most though is scoring for the club’s sake and our target is to win the league and cup double for Lyon for the first time in the club’s history.”
Lyon play Paris St Germain in the French Cup final at the Stade de France, Paris on May 28.
Benzema has been attracting interest from several bigger European sides including Manchester United, but he said after accepting the award that he would be staying with Lyon next season.
