Real Madrid and France striker, Karim Benzema has won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his football career, The Frenchman becomes only the second player aside from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2008, after his Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric won the prize in 2018.

 

Benzema became the 5th Frenchman to win the prestigious, after Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times, while Raymond Kopa, Zinedine Zidane and Jean-Pierre Papin all won it once in their professional football career. 

 

Ballon d’Or is awarded for performance in the 2021-22 season, rather than the calendar year. Last season, Benzema was in top form as he helped his team win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The Real Madrid striker scored 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in a season.

 

 

Senegalese and Bayern Munich striker, Sadio Mane came second, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne came third and Robert Lewandowski, who won the Gerd Muller award tonight came fourth.

 

Here is the image you've all been waiting for! Karim Benzema! #ballondor with @adidasFR pic.twitter.com/TJze0Km1s6

— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022