On 13 March 2008 , Benzema extended his contract with Lyon until 2013 with a one-year extension option . After signing his new contract , Benzema became one of the highest paid footballers in France . For his efforts that season , he was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year , selected to the Team of the Year and awarded the Trophée du Meilleur Buteur for being the league 's top scorer . He was also shortlisted by French magazine '' France Football '' for the 2008 Ballon d'Or award , eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo
2008 Ballon d'Or
2008 Ballon d'Or
Karim Benzema