David Alaba Tips Karim Benzema to Win 2022 Ballon d’Or Award Ahead of Robert Lewandowski

• Real Madrid defender David Alaba has backed teammate Karim Benzema to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award ahead of Robert Lewandowski
• Benzema is widely expected to win the coveted award for the first time in his career after a stunning 2021/22 season for Real Madrid
• The French forward scored 44 goals in 46 appearances for Real Madrid, a haul that helped the Spanish giants win the La Liga and Champions League titles

Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema has been widely tipped to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award by teammate David Alaba following the Frenchman’s superb 2021/22 campaign.

Benzema netted a total of 44 goals in 46 appearances as Real Madrid cruised to the Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles last season.

Alaba has now given his nod for Benzema to emerge victorious for the award ahead of current Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski who has also been shortlisted, Football Espana reports.

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“I don’t even think that it is a question. If you look at last season, what he did is really incredible. I am genuinely grateful to have experienced it and to have been part of it, and to see him work every day.”

Alaba joins a growing list of football enthusiasts such as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane who has tipped Benzema to clinch his first Ballon d’Or award.

Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano backs Benzema for Ballon d’Or award

Meanwhile, Real Madrid icon Jorge Valdano expects Karim Benzema to be declared as the winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or award Eurosport reports.

Valdano believes Benzema’s exploits in La Liga and the Champions League last season make the Frenchman the favourite for the award which ceremony takes place on October 17 in Paris.

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Benzema has been shortlisted for the 2022 Ballon d’Or award alongside Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski and Bayern Munich marksman Sadio Mane.

Sadio Mane admits Karim Benzema deserves to win Ballon d’Or

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has conceded Karim Benzema deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of him.

Mane, who ended his six-year spell with Liverpool by switching to Bayern Munich this summer, is among the top candidates shortlisted for football's most cherished individual prize.

The 30-year-old Senegal international had an impressive campaign in the year under review, including annexing the African Footballer of the Year award on top of helping his nation win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.