Karim Benzema, who had an outstanding season with Real Madrid during which he won the Champions League and La Liga, was named the winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or yesterday.
Even before France Football's shortlist for the award was made public, Benzema was the overwhelming favourite to be voted the finest player in the world because of his crucial role in Real's success both domestically and in Europe.
After the outcome was leaked earlier in the day, the 34-year-old defeated Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne to go into second and third place. Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah completed the top five.
Along with the forward's accomplishments, Thibaut Courtois, a teammate, won the Yashin Trophy for being the world's greatest goalkeeper.
La Liga players had a clean sweep of the main awards, as Gavi was named as the Kopa Trophy winner and Barcelona Women’s star Alexia Putellas was named as the Ballon d’Or Feminin winner.
This year is the first time that the award was handed out for success by season, rather than a calendar year, meaning the upcoming World Cup was never going to count towards the winner.
Benzema scored back-to-back hat-tricks in the Champions League last 16 and quarter-finals, against PSG and Chelsea, respectively, as his side progressed through the knockout rounds.
2022 BALLON D’OR AWARDS WINNERS
- Ballon d’Or: Karim Benzema
- Ballon d’Or Féminin: Alexia Putellas
- Club of the Year: Manchester City
- Yashin Trophy: Thibaut Courtois
- Gerd Müller Trophy: Robert Lewandowski
- Socrates Award: Sadio Mané
- Kopa Trophy: Gavi