Ballon d’Or: Karim Benzema Wins Prestigious Award After Stunning Season With Real Madrid

• Karim Benzema became the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or since 1998 when Zinedine Zidane clinched the coveted award
• Benzema produced arguably the best season of his career in 2021-22 helping Madrid to win their 14th Champions League, 35th La Liga and 12th Supercopa de Espana crowns
• The 66th Ballon d’Or awards took place at the Theatre du Chatelet, Paris on Monday, October 17, in a changed format from previous years, as confirmed by France Football

Karim Benzema clinched the 2022 edition of the Ballon d'Or on the back of a sterling campaign with Real Madrid which culminated in Champions League success.

Benzema, who was the overwhelming favourite ahead of the awards ceremony, beat competition from Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane and Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona to annex the prestigious diadem.

The Real Madrid frontman scored an outstanding 44 goals in 46 games for Los Blancos including 15 in the UEFA Champions League.

Any challenger? Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says Karim Benzema 'will win' 2022 Ballon d’Or

Football

The 34-year-old's exploits included a hat-trick in 17 second-half minutes against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, and another goal-scoring feat against Chelsea in the quarter-final first leg. He also scored three more goals over both legs of the semi-final against Manchester City.

He was named the UEFA player of the year in August and has carried the momentum to the ongoing campaign, notching a goal as Madrid edged rivals Barcelona in the first instalment of the El Clasico on Sunday night.

How many French players have won the Ballon d'Or?

Raymond Kopa, who played for Real Madrid, was the first French player to win the award in 1958, then came three crowns for former UEFA president Michel Platini between 1983 and 1985.

Marseille's Jean-Pierre Papin was the next Frenchman to win in 1991 with Zinedine Zidane, who was playing for Juventus by then, the final French winner in 1998, as noted by CBS Sports.

Barcelona star crowned the best player in FIFA 23 ahead of Benzema, Leo Messi and Ronaldo

Football

Benzema tipped to win Ballon d'Or

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Real Madrid and Barcelona players have been widely tipped to dominate the 66th edition of the Ballon d’Or awards scheduled to take place on October 17.

Awards such as the Ballon d’Or given to the best player in Europe, Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, and Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper all have La Liga contenders for the awards.

According to Football Espana, Karim Benzema is the favourite to win his first Ballon d'Or after scoring 44 goals in 46 games to lead Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double in 2022.