Benzema Leads Lewandowski, Mane in 2022 Ballon d’Or Race As UEFA Set to Announce Nominees

• Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is the favourite to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award as the nominees for the men's and women's awards will be revealed on August 12, 2022
• The 34-year-old has had a superb individual season with Los Blancos and helped the La Liga club clinch the UEFA Super Cup against Frankfurt on Wednesday, August 10
• The 66th edition of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award is set to take place earlier in the year than its predecessors due to a change in format from this year on

UEFA is set to announce the nominees for the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards on Thursday, August 12 and Real Madrid captain, Karim Benzema has been tipped as the favourite for this year’s award.

The 34-year-old led Real Madrid to the UEFA Super Cup trophy as Los Blancos defeated Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Wednesday, August 10 in Helsinki.

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According to Goal, Benzema is one of the clear favourites to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or after also helping Real Madrid lift both the La Liga and Champions League last season.

Bayern Munich forward, Sadio Mane and Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski are also top contenders for the award after brilliant individual displays for their previous teams in the 2021/22 season.

The Ballon d’Or will be awarded for the performances of footballers over a full season from 2022 unlike previously when the prize was awarded for the players' displays in a calendar year.

Ancelotti backs Benzema for Ballon d’Or

Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has also tipped club captain, Karim Benzema to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award Football Espana reports.

Ancelotti extolled the qualities of the 34-year-old France forward after he netted Real Madrid’s second goal in the UEFA Super Cup victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.

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Benzema is now the second top scorer in Real Madrid’s history after surpassing club legend Raul Gonzalez with his 324th goal for the La Liga champions.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Karim Benzema netted in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Helsinki on Wednesday night in the UEFA Super Cup.

This means that the Frenchman has now overtaken Real Madrid icon Raul Gonzalez to become the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the club.

The 34-year-old equaled Raul's record in second place on 323 goals back in May, when he scored a header in a 6-0 thrashing of Levante.