Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is proud of the LaLiga's Player of the Year.

Benzema was handed the Alfredo Di Stefano prize for being the best player in LaLiga Santander in 2019/20.

The French striker scored 21 league goals as Real Madrid secured the LaLiga Santander title ahead of Barcelona.

Benzema is the first person other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since Raul did in its first edition in 2007/08.

"It means a lot," Benzema said after receiving the trophy. "I feel proud and very happy. It's the reward for my work at this club since 2009 and, as I say, it makes me very satisfied, without doubt.

"I've been at Real Madrid for many years and I always work to keep helping the team.

"[Messi and Ronaldo] are something else. They've won lots of individual awards and, for me, it's an honour to win it ahead of these two players."

In the 2020/21 season, Benzema is again demonstrating how valuable he still is to Real Madrid.

"I make an effort in each training session thinking about each game," the striker added. "My idea is to show every day that I can play for this club that, for me, has always been the best in the world."

The award is Benzema's, but who would he have given it to?

"There are lots [of possible winners]," he said. "For example, Sergio Ramos, who had a great season. "I don't look at players from other clubs; always my teammates."