Karim Benzema was officially honored the most prestigious individual football award on earth as the French striker was crowned Ballon D’or 2022 winner. The Real Madrid attacker became the first French to win the coveted award after Zinedine Zidane in 1998, that’s 24years ago.
KARIM BENZEMA IS THE 2022 BALLON D’OR! ✨@Benzema@realmadrid#ballondor pic.twitter.com/TXLkHJIhJM
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022
Benzema had a sensational season scoring a total of 44 goals in all competitions. This record saw him help Madrid win La Liga and memorable Champions League double. The ceremony which was held on Monday in Paris, France, saw Benzema placed clear off the likes of Salah who came 5th, Ronaldo staged at 20th spot (the worst he managed since 2005) and Lionel Messi who didn’t make it to the shortlist for the first time in his prestigious career. Messi had dominated this award and had won it back to back in 2020 and 2021.
The 34 year old Benzema was delighted as he received the award from his idol Zinedine Zidane. “I’m proud, this is a childhood dream. I grew up with this in my head, then I had the motivation. I had two role models in life; Zizou and Ronaldo.
I have never lowered my efforts and I have kept the dream in my head, even through a period in which I was not in the national team,” said Benzema. “But I did not lower my efforts and it worked. It has been difficult and this only made me stronger mentally. I am satisfied with my work and I am very happy. I thank my teammates at Real Madrid and the national team.”
Here is the podium for the 2022 Ballon d'Or 🔝#ballondor pic.twitter.com/lxQN1q8rk4
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022
Sadio Mane who had a remarkable season with Liverpool before switching to Fc Bayern Munich came agonizingly close in the second position. The Senegalese international won The FA and community shield cups with Klopp’s side as the Reds narrowly missed on EPL which was full of drama and uncertainty on the last day of the season.
The Bayern winger would later on lose to Benzema’s Real Madrid in June as the Spanish giants played their way out to clinch Champions League trophy at the expense of Mane and Liverpool thanks to Vinicius Junior’s solitary goal in the second half of the match.
Kevin Debruyne was ranked third. The Belgian has been sensational in midfield since his arrival at city and despite winning the premier league, he couldn’t match either Benzema or Mane with the latter while still at Liverpool competing in all football matches available for them last season winning two out of possible four.
In the women’s category, Alexia Putellas clinched this prestigious award Ballon d’or Feminin for the second successive season. The Barcelona star was closely contested by England and Arsenal’s striker Beth Mead. Alexia led Barcelona to La Liga as they historically won all their domestic games. Similarly, Beth had earlier won player of the year when she led England to win Euros. The Arsenal’s starlet becane the second English female player to make it to top three of Ballon d’or following Lucy Bronze who did so for the first time in 2019. Sam Kerr of Chelsea ranked 3rd for second successive season.
— Alexia Putellas (@alexiaputellas) October 17, 2022
Barcelona’s midfielder Gavi won the world’s best U21 player as he was presented with Kopa trophy. The Spanish youngster piped Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid as they came second and third respectively. Speaking at the event, the 18 years old thanked his team mates for the support. “It’s an honor to receive this award. I want to thank Barcelona, the coaches and my teammates.” he said, “I’m here today for them. I always try to give my best and I try to carry it in the best way.”
Here is the podium for the 2022 Kopa Trophy 🔝#ballondor #tropheekopa pic.twitter.com/phIZFYsxqh
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022
Thibaut Courtois clinched the Yashin Trophy as he was named goalkeeper of tge year ahead of Liverpool’s Alison Becker. The 30 year old Belgian had a remarkable season with Real Madrid and his heroics against Liverpool in the Champions League factored him to leapfrog the 2019 winner Alison.
Here is the podium for the 2022 Yachine Trophy 🔝#ballondor #tropheeyachine pic.twitter.com/bf2WTCOzDM
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022
The Brazilian was closely followed by his international team mate Ederson in the third position. The Man City’s shotstopper was among the top ball handlers who kept most cleansheets across Europe alongside Eduard Mendy of Chelsea who ranked fourth.
Very honored to win this trophy! I would like to share this moment with all of you and to thank you for your unconditional support and love! #HalaMadrid
— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) October 17, 2022
Congratulations @karimbenzema 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0VR49eiVGB
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