Karim Benzema Wins 2022 Ballon d’Or Award

Karim Benzema has been awarded the 2022 Ballon d’Or in a ceremony that took place in Paris, succeeding Lionel Messi who received the prize last year.

The 34-year-old managed 44 goals in 46 matches last season as Real Madrid won the Champions League, another LaLiga title along with 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 who presented the award in 1998.

The Ballon d’Or award has been handed to Real Madrid players a total of twelve times, matching Barcelona’s figures.