Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has won the 2022 Mens Ballon d’Or. He becomes the oldest to win the award at 34 years old since Stanley Mathews in 1956.
This will be the first time the French man will lift the award, after being nominated for the past 10th time. He was awarded the prestigious trophy for his performance in the 2021-2022 season.
He leads Real Madrid to a Champions League trophy as well as winning a LaLiga double. Not only that, he managed to score a whopping 27 times in the LaLiga, his career-best, and was the top scorer for the Champions League with 15 goals.
“I’m really proud seeing this prize, it’s been my dream since I was a kid. I grew up with this in my head, and after that I had the motivation,” Benzema said.
“I had two role models in my life: Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) and (Brazil legend) Ronaldo. It’s a lot of work; I never gave up and I kept that dream in my head. Anything is possible.”
“It’s been difficult for me. There was a time when I wasn’t playing for the national team, but I didn’t give up. It’s been difficult for me and that just makes me stronger mentally. I’m really happy with my work.”
Benzema won the award ahead of Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane and Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne.
Other award winners
The award ceremony, which took place as Théâtre du Châtelet in France, not only saw Benzema lifting an award. Here is all the list of winners at the ceremony:
- Ballon d’Or Feminin (Women’s Player of the Year): Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas
- Kopa Trophy (Best Under 21 player): Barcelona’s Gavi
- Yashin Trophy (Best Men’s Goalkeeper): Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois
- Gerd Muller Trophy (Top Scorer): Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski
- Socrates Award (Humanitarian award): Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane
- Club of the Year: Manchester City
Sources: ESPN