In form Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has won the men’s Ballon d’Or for 2022.
The 34-year-old managed 44 goals in 46 matches last season as Real won the Champions League, another LaLiga title along with the Spanish and European Super Cups.
Benzema was crowned in a ceremony in Paris ahead of Sadio Mane in second and Kevin de Bruyne in third – with the striker becoming the first French winner of the Ballon D’Or since Zinedine Zidane in 1998. Coincidentally, it was Zidane who presented him the award to Benzema.
“It makes me really proud,” said Benzema. “All the work I did, I never gave up. It was a childhood dream like all kids – the motivation. I had two motivations in my life – Zidane and Ronaldo. I’ve always had this dream in my mind that anything is possible.
“There was a difficult period where I wasn’t in the French team, but I never stopped working hard nor gave up. I always kept my head, concentrated on playing football and I’m really proud of my journey here. It wasn’t easy, it was a difficult time. It was hard for my family as well. To be here today, for the first time for me, I’m happy and pleased with my work and I keep going.
“I want to thank my team-mates, whether it’s Real Madrid or the national team. My coach, thanks to him as well. The Real Madrid president as well.
“I have a lot of people to thank. It’s an individual prize, but it’s a collective one because everyone has played a role.”
In a related development Barcelona star, Alexia Putellas has won the women’s Ballon d’Or for 2022.
Putellas has made history as the first women’s player to become a back-to-back winner of the prize.
“Without my team-mates this would not have been possible,” said Putellas after picking up the award. “I want to thank the staff and the coach and everyone involved at Barcelona.
“I’m very happy to be back here and pleased because a year ago I was able to win this prize and it pushed me to want to be even better.”
England’s Beth Mead was the runner-up for the award after guiding the Lionesses to the European Championships title, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr having to settle for third.
