Real Madrid Karim Benzema wins the 2022 Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid Karim Benzema wins the 2022 Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid and France international Karim Benzema has been announced as the winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or, after an incredible season as he won the Champions League and La Liga titles with Los Blancos.

Even before France Football’s shortlist for the award was made public, Benzema was the overwhelming favorite to be voted the best player in the world because of his vital role in Real’s success both domestically and in Europe.

After the result was leaked earlier in the day, the 34-year-old defeated Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne to move into second and third place respectively. Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah completed Tythe top five.

Also Benzema’s teammate Thibaut Courtois won the Yashin Trophy for being the best goalkeeper in the world.

La Liga players had a clean sweep of the main awards, as Gavi was named as the Kopa Trophy winner, with many annoyed that Jude Bellingham missed out, and Barcelona Women’s star Alexia Putellas was named as the Ballon d’Or Feminin winner.

The award was given out this year for the first time according to season rather than the calendar year, therefore the forthcoming World Cup was never going to determine the winner.

With 44 goals from 46 games across all competitions, he finished the season ahead of Raul to become the club’s second-highest goalscorer all-time, with only Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him.

He finished fourth in the voting, behind Lionel Messi, Lewandowski, and Jorginho, which was his best-ever finish, before tonight.

Only the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations now cast votes for the winner, as opposed to all previous nations, and a player’s past performance was not taken into account.

In other news, Pep Guardiola takes a dig at Liverpool and blames two stars for defeat