Real Madrid Striker Karim Benzema Wins 2022 Ballon d’Or Award

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has won the 2022 Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career after fending off competition from Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne.

Benzema, 34, became the oldest player in 66 years to win the prestigious individual football prize and the first Frenchman since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.

He scored 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions, firing Real Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory and becoming the top scorer in both competitions.

“I’m really proud, it’s a lot of work and a kid’s dream come true,” Benzema said as he received the award during a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

“There were much more difficult moments for me, when I was not selected and I did not give up, I am really proud of my career. This is the Golden Ball of the people.” Benzema added after Zidane, his idol and former coach at Madrid, handed him the trophy.

The annual football award is presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956 and is awarded to the best player over the previous calendar year.

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