Karim Benzema crown Ballon d’or winner
Karim Benzema beats off competition from Sadio Mane and Lewandowski to win his first Ballon D’or.
Benzema was rewarded with the prestigious award for the first time in his footballing career for his career-best 2021/2022 season.
The Real Madrid striker and captain was a huge favorite ahead of the ceremony after leading his side to win the Uefa Champions League and the Spanish La Liga in the just-ended 2021/2022 season.
Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 appearances and also won his fifth UCL trophy with Real Madrid.
Despite Robert Lewandowski scoring 50 goals, Benzema’s goals were instrumental in Real’s Champions League triumph.
Adding 15 assists, Karim Benzema’s total of 59 goal involvements last season fell just shy of Kylian Mbappe’s Europe-wide high of 60 (39 goals, 21 assists).
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