Karim Benzema has been named the winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
The France international was clear favourite to win the award. It was presented in Paris at a ceremony. He won the award ahead of Sadio Mae and Kevin de Bruyne, who were second and third respectively.
Zinedine zidane, Benzema’s former manager, presented the award at the event. He is the fifth Frenchman who has won the award, the first since Zidane 1998.
He is the only other player than Cristiano RonaldoLionel Messi will have won the award in 2008, with Luka Modric breaking this trend in 2018.
“This prize in front of me makes me really proud. When I was small it was a childhood dream, I never gave up, — anything is possible,” Benzema said on stage at the ceremony.
“There was a difficult period when I wasn’t in the French team but I never gave up. I’m really proud of my journey here. It wasn’t easy, it was a difficult time for my family as well.”
The 34-year old forward was named the winner of the prestigious award. He had never finished in the top three on the final shortlist.
It is the culmination of a historic season at Benzema. Their scintillating form guided them to their triumphant season. Real MadridTo a La LigaHe was also a champions League double. He was victorious in the season’s remarkable 46-game campaign, scoring 44 goals. Champions League.
