Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema, has been named Ballon d’Or winner for 2022. 

The French international enjoyed a remarkable 2021-22 campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, with a stunning 44-goal haul helping Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League titles. The 34-year-old found the net on 27 occasions in the Spanish top flight last season and 15 times in European competition. Benzema has been outstanding for Madrid, helping to fill the void created by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018  and taking on captaincy duties following Sergio Ramos’ move to Paris Saint-Germain.

He has now been recognized as the world’s best by his peers, with competition from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland seen off to land the prestigious Golden Ball. The Ballon d’Or vote had been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent times, with the Argentine claiming a history-making seven awards, while the Portuguese superstar has five to his name.

Other iconic performers who have taken the top prize on multiple occasions include Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo, and Alfredo Di Stefano. Benzema has now become the eighth Real Madrid player to land the award improving their record-setting haul.