Frenchmen and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema won the prestigious Ballon d’Or 2022 for his stellar performance in Spain and Europe in the previous season.
Benzema stunned Europe with his performance helping Real Madrid to win its 14th Champions League title besides finishing top of the table in La Liga.
Benzema scored a whopping 42 goals in the entire season including the Champions League and finished as the top striker in Spain. The prestigious Ballon D’or trophy hosted by French Football observed its 66th edition this year.
While Senegalese forward and now Bayern striker finished second in the standings for his performance last season with Liverpool, whereas Man City captain Kevin De Bruyne finished 3rd in the overall standing.
The event was hosted at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital, Paris. Among other major winners at the grand occasion that recognizes the best performances includes FC Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Polish all-time great and FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski was conferred with Gerd Muller Trophy for being the season’s best striker.
While Belgian wall and Karim Benzema’s Madrid team-mate Thibaut Courtois was awarded the coveted Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper for his memorable season.
Courtois was also the player of the match for his stellar save that helped Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final. The Premier League champions Manchester City were recognized as the best football club at the event.
Further in the list of major awardees include Spanish and Barcelona young sensation Gavi with the Kopa award for the best player under the age of 21 and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane took away the maiden Socrates Award at the event.
Pertinently, the event’s biggest star Argentine Lionel Messi wasn’t even nominated for this year’s award, he has a record 7 Ballon d’Or to his credit while his competitor, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo finished 20th who has 5 Ballon d'Or to his name.