By Mandy Park
Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema has been declared the winner of the 2022 Ballon D’Or during Monday night’s ceremony in Paris.
Having been nominated for the prize nine times formerly, Benzema has now been proclaimed the winner this year after enjoying a stellar season leading the line for Real Madrid.
Benzema scored a total 44 goals in 46 matches during the 2021-2022 season, including completing with 15 goals in the Champions League — the competition’s top scorer — as well as reestablishing himself in France’s international side.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won 12 of the last 13 Ballons d’Or, leading the male side of the sport since 2008. Luka Modric is the sole outlier, claiming the award in 2018, and it’s foreseen that another Madrid star will break the duopoly this time around.
Although Messi won it in 2019 and 2021 — with the 2020 edition was discontinued due to the Covid-19 pandemic — neither the Argentine nor Ronaldo were named on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s award, with both enduring stilted seasons at their respective clubs.
Benzema who was crowned as the champion having narrowly missed out on a place on the podium in last year’s ceremony, when Messi pipped Robert Lewandowski to the crown with Chelsea midfielder and Italy international Jorginho ranking third.
Benzema was the odds-on favourite gratitude to a sensational 21-22 campaign – highlighted by a Champions League triumph, with his incredible performances seeing his side oust Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool on their way to winning the competition.
However, Benzema’s Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois emerge as the Yashin Trophy Winner, the award which recognises the Best Goalkeeper of last season.
The Kopa trophy – the award for the best young player in world football, named in tribute to French icon Raymond – goes to Barcelona midfielder Gavi, one year after his teammate Pedri scooped the gong.
