Karim Benzema wins the 2022 Ballon d’Or award

• Karim Benzema won the 2022 Balloon d’Or award after leading Real Madrid to another La Liga and Champions League double last season. 
• Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne completed in the top three of the most prestigious individual award in football. 

Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award at a glittering ceremony in Paris’ Theatre Du Chatelet on Monday night. 

The 34-year-old beat Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne to win the most prestigious individual award in football. 

Karim Benzema is the oldest Ballon d’Or winner since Stanley Mathews won the first edition of the prize in 1956.

Karim Benzema. Photo/ Goal.com.

He is only the second player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to scoop the award since 2007. Lionel Messi did not make it to the shortlist this year, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 20th, his worst since 2005. 

Most football fans agree that Karim Benzema deserved the honour of football’s most prestigious individual award due to his performance. 

The lethal attacker scored 44 goals in 46 matches as he helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. 

He invited his mother and son on stage to share the accolade with him. After winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, Karim Benzema said his dream finally came to pass. 

The French talisman is really proud of his football journey. He thanked all his teammates at Real Madrid and the France national team for being part of his journey. 

Karim Benzema named Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo as his motivations in life.

“It makes me really proud. All the work I did, I never gave up. It was a childhood dream like all kids [have]. I had two motivations in my life – Zidane and Ronaldo. I’ve always had this dream in my mind that anything is possible. I want to thank my teammates, whether it’s Real Madrid or the national team. My coach, thanks to him as well. The Real Madrid president as well.” Part of Karim Benzema’s speech after winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or award. 

Other Winners 

FC Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas clinched the Ballon d’Or Feminin at the same event. She won the award for the second time in a row beating the likes of Beth Mead, who came second in the voting. 

Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane did not walk from the event empty-handed after failing to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award. He won the Socrates award, which is given for humanitarian work.

Sadio Mane won the Socrates Award. Photo/ Sports Brief.

Robert Lewandowski scooped another award this year as he won the Gerd Muller award, given to the best striker of the year. 

FC Barcelona youngster, Gavi, won the Kopa Trophy for the best men’s U21 player beating the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. 

Real Madrid goalkeeper won the Yashin Trophy due to his amazing performance last season that played a significant role in his side winning the UEFA Champions League. 

Premier League giants Manchester City beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to win the Club of the Year award.