French sharpshooter, Karim Benzema, for the first time, has won the Ballon d’Or, having enjoyed a career best year in 2022 at Real Madrid.
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| French player Karim Benzema poses with the Ballon d’Or (2022). Photo: FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images via 90min |
Throughout the 2021/22 campaign, the Frenchman was in inspired form, leading Real Madrid to both domestic and continental glory.
In all competitions for the Los Blancos, Benzema netted 44 times and had 15 assists after 46 appearances – averaging a goal contribution every 66.4 minutes as the club clinched the La Liga and yet another Uefa Champions League trophy.
In the Champions League in particular, Benzema’s beautiful form is what has made him a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or 2022.
34-year old Benzema, scored 15 goals in the Uefa Champions League alone, and 10 of those goals were scored in the knockout stages.
Benzema has now become the first French player to win the Ballon d’Or since Zinedine Zidane, far back in 1998 and fifth French player overall.
The Real Madrid star has now joined Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin and Raymond Kopa as winners.
