Karim Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 matches last season for Real Madrid, who won LaLiga and the Champions League; Sadio Mane finished in second place while Kevin De Bruyne was third; Barcelona midfielder Gavi was given the Kopa Trophy as the best young player of the year
The 34- time-old managed 44 goals in 46 matches last season as Real won the titleholders League, another LaLiga title along with the Spanish and European Super Mugs.
Benzema was culminated in a form in Paris ahead of Sadio Mane in alternate and Kevin De Bruyne in third- with the striker getting the first French winner of the BallonD’Or since Zinedine Zidane- who presented him the award- in 1998.
The striker is also the oldest BallonD’Or winner since Stanley Matthews won the first edition of the prize in 1956.
“It makes me really proud,” said Benzema.” All the work I did, I noway gave up. It was a nonage dream like all kiddies( have). I had two provocations in my life- Zidane and Ronaldo. I have always had this dream in my mind that anything is possible.
“There was a delicate period where I was not in the French platoon, but I noway stopped working hard nor gave up. I always kept my head, concentrated on playing football and I am really proud of my trip then. It was not easy, it was a delicate time. It was hard for my family as well. To be then moment, for the first time for me, I am happy and pleased with my work and I keep going.
“I want to thank my platoon- mates, whether it’s Real Madrid or the public platoon. My trainer, thanks to him as well. The Real Madrid chairman as well.
“I’ve a lot of people to thank. It’s an individual prize, but it’s a collaborative bone
because everyone has played a part.”
Benzema beat Bayern Munich’s former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane to the men’s top prize, with Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne in third place.
In the women’s award, England forward Beth Mead had to settle for runner- up as Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the jewel for the alternate consecutive time.
Benzema, 34, helped Los Blancos win the titleholders League, defeating Liverpool in the final, to add to their LaLiga success in 2021- 22, scoring 44 pretensions in 46 games across all competitions.
After being presented with the award at a fete form in Paris by Zinedine Zidane, the last Frenchman to win the accolade in 1998, Benzema said “ Seeing this prize in front of me makes me really proud.
“It was a nonage dream for me and all the work I’ve done, I noway gave up. I’m really proud of my trip then.
“It wasn’t easy, it was a delicate time and also for my family as well. When I wasn’t in the France platoon I noway stopped working hard.
“To be standing then moment for the first time, I’m happy for my work and will keep going. ”
Putellas, 28, suffered a knee injury ahead of Euro 2022, where Arsenal striker Mead went on to be top arranger and was named player of the event as the Lionesses soared to palm on home soil when they beat Germany in the final at Wembley.
“I ’m veritably happy to be back then and pleased because a time ago I was suitable to win this prize and it pushed me to want to be indeed better, ” said Putellas, who guided Barcelona to a domestic treble in the 2021- 22 crusade.
“Injuring my knee in July, I didn’t suppose it would be possible( to win this award). ”
Chelsea’s Australia striker Sam Kerr finished in third place for the alternate time running. England’s European Championship winners Lucy Citation and Millie Bright were also nominated for the women’s prize, ranking 10th and 15th independently in the France Football bean.
De Bruyne came the first Manchester City player to be shortlisted for the final three of the men’s award.
“I’ve been nominated quite a many times now, so it means you have been doing well constantly, ” the Belgian said. “ To be recognised as a player is alwaysnice. However, also it means a lot and after it’s the people’s opinion, If you’re in that list. ”
Robert Lewandowski, who again collected the Gerd Muller jewel for the stylish striker, finished fourth. The Poland forward joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich during the summer, having scored 50 pretensions last season for the Bundesliga titans.
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah placed fifth, with Paris St Germain and France forward Kylian Mbappe in sixth place.
Norway forward Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund during the summer and has made a superb launch to the new crusade with 20 pretensions so far, was ranked in 10th overall.
Five- time winner Cristiano Ronaldo finished in 20th place, one ahead of Tottenham forward Harry Kane, with the England captain’s Spurs platoon- mate Son Heung- min 11th.
Last Time’s winner, Lionel Messi, didn’t make the 30- man shortlist after his tough debut season with PSG.
The Yashin jewel for the stylish goalkeeper went to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, who was named man of the match in the titleholders League final and also placed seventh in the overall rankings.
The Socrates Award, named after Brazil’s 1982 World Cup captain, for the stylish social enterprise within the game went to Mane, who has helped make hospitals and a academy in his motherland Senegal.
The Kopa jewel for the stylish performing player under 21 went to Barcelona’s Gavi, with England and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham having also made the final shortlist.
Manchester City were suggested club of the time, and principal superintendent Ferran Soriano said “ This award is recognition of the hard work and fidelity set up in every department of our organisation.” Know More Football News….
