Phew, he got it finally! That is what Karina Benzema’s fans would be feeling after the Real Madrid forward walked away with 2022 Ballon d’Or award (World’s best player of the year) on Monday night in France.
The Frenchman became the oldest winner of the biggest individual player award since first recipient Stanley Matthews 66 years ago. Benzema, who is 34 years, has been knocking on the doors for for number of years but the award would either to go to Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Age is just a number. People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire. It is this drive that has kept me going and never allowed me to let up,” said Benzema after winning for the first time.
Benzema is also the first French player to win the tBalloon d’Or since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.
He had the best season ever at Madrid last year, being the top scorer in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. He scored 44 goals for Madrid, including 15 in Europe’s top competition.
Benzema would hoping to show off his best form for France in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. He was not part of the France squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
After nearly six years out France team following his involvement in a sex tape scandal, Benzema was recalled by France coach Didier Deschamps last year ahead of the European Championship and has played regularly since.
Meanwhile, Senegal and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was second after having a sterling season with Liverpool last year before joining the German giants.
Spain and Barcelona’s midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s trophy for the second straight year following another standout season with Barcelona.
