© AP
On Monday evening in Paris, what everyone predicted back in May after the Champions League final happened. Karim Benzema won the "Golden Ball".
The "Ballon d'Or" title was awarded to the French national team striker by defeating players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Sadio Mane, and Robert Lewandowski in the voting.
Over the last 10 years, this is the sixth time that a "Real" player has been awarded the "Golden Ball". Prior to this prestigious title, representing the "royal club", Cristiano Ronaldo received it four times, and Luka Modrić once.
KARIM BENZEMA IS THE 2022 BALLON D'OR! ✨@Benzema@realmadrid#ballondor pic.com/TXLkHJIhJM
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
Karim Benzema specially received this award from his former coach Zinedine Zidane.
Last season in the Champions League and "La Liga" competitions, the 34-year-old Frenchman scored 42 goals and made 14 assists in 44 matches.
With the "Real" team, the forward won a "double" - the Spanish championship title and the Champions League.
🏅 ¡ENHORABUENA, @Benzema! 🏅#ballondor pic.com/2RuoJE3ZN5
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 17, 2022
In this season, K. Benzema scored 5 goals and made 1 assist in 10 matches.
Last year, Lionel Messi triumphed in these awards, surpassing Robert Lewandowski. This year, among the 30 candidates, neither the Argentine nor his teammate at PSG Neymar were seen.
The women's "Ballon d'Or" was won by "Barcelona" striker Alexis Putellas. This title was awarded to the Spaniard for the second consecutive year.
