- The Ballon d’Or is the most individual prestigious award that any soccer player works hard toward achieving it
- Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne are also the award’s favourite
- Karim is one of the few players to have three hat-tricks in a row. He scored three goals against both Chelsea and PSG
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award given to the season’s best player since 1956. Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards in football history (7).
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the award, with Messi and Ronaldo being the only winners from 2009 to 2018.
Karim Benzema has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid over the years, but the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale has always cast a shadow over him.
Benzema’s performances have improved significantly since Ronaldo’s departure and Bale’s slump in form, particularly this season.
Here are five reasons why Karim Benzema should be named Ballon d’Or winner.
5. Supercopa De España
Real Madrid beat Bilbao to win the 2022 Supercopa De España title. Photo; Skysports
The Supercopa de Espana, or Spanish Super Cup, was Real Madrid’s first trophy of the 2021/22 season. Madrid challenged FC Barcelona in the semi-finals, which proved to be a difficult match.
Barcelona entered the game on a four-game losing streak to Real Madrid. But things were different in the Super Cup.
Benzema netted the second goal in the semifinal, which appeared to be the game-winning goal, but Barcelona came back. Barca scored two late goals to force extra time but ultimately lost the game.
After a difficult challenge against Barcelona, Real Madrid made no mistakes in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
Karim Benzema scored a penalty in the final, and Real Madrid won their 12th Spanish Super Cup.
4. Winner of Pichichi and UCL Golden Boot
Following Messi’s sad and untimely departure from La Liga, his reign of terror ended, and Benzema took full advantage of the chance that was presented to him.
In 32 La Liga appearances last season, he scored 27 goals and had 12 assists. His incredible total goal contribution of 39 earned him the Pichichi.
Benzema is also breaking records in the Champions League. This season, the French striker won the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot.
He finished second and tied Lionel Messi for the most goals scored in a single UCL season (15). Ronaldo leads the way with 17 goals in a single season.
3. Nations League success
Benzema and the France national team recently won their first UEFA Nations League title. Photo: Eurosport
In the aftermath of a blackmailing scandal, Benzema has not played for France since 2015. After the allegations against him were dropped, he returned to the French team just before the EURO 2020 after a six-year absence.
Les Bleus made great strides upon his return but suffered a crushing defeat against Switzerland at the Euros. However, Benzema’s international career was not over.
Benzema and the France national team recently won their first UEFA Nations League title.
The striker came on in the semi-finals against Belgium and again in the final against Spain. In both games, Benzema and Kylian Mbappe each scored a goal
2. La Liga victory
Benzema was again at the helm as Real Madrid won their 35th La Liga title. Last season, Karim and Vincius Jr. formed a lethal attacking duo that outmatched every opponent.
The Frenchman not only scored continually throughout the season but also when it counted the most.
Real Madrid was dealing with injury problems and a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp at the halfway point of the season. Dani Ceballos,Isco, Dani Carvajal, , Luka Modric, Casemiro and Gareth Bale were all ruled out.
Benzema and the rest of the team had to play with seven Castilla players, but they made it. Benzema scored twice against Athletic Bilbao to give Real Madrid breathing room at the top of the table.
1. Champions League clutch performances
Karim Benzema, along with Real Madrid, is an excellent example of flourishing in pressure situations. On their way to the Champions League final, Real Madrid faced PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Despite being dominated, the squad prevailed, particularly Benzema, who scored back-to-back hat-tricks.
Karim is one of the few players to have three hat-tricks in a row. He scored three goals against both Chelsea and PSG.
The French man then scored two goals against the Blues in the first leg and the game-winning penalty in extra time. Even after not scoring in the championship game, his presence laid the groundwork for his team’s success.
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