The Ballon d’Or goes to Karim Benzema! He wins by the biggest margin in history

In the words of the wrestler Carlos “Terminator” Vemola:: ” Did you expect something else?”

He had the season of his life. Karim Benzema has led Real Madrid to victory in La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup. His performances in the millionaire competition in particular made it clear who would go on to win the most valuable individual award.

5 goals and an assist in the group stage, a hat-trick in the eight-final against PSG, a hat-trick in the quarter-final against Chelsea, the decisive goal in the rematch against the Blues. Two goals in the first semi-final against Manchester City, decisive goal and assist in the return leg.

In total, Benzema finished the Champions League with a record of 15 goals and 2 assists, scoring 10 goals in the knockout phase. It would probably be hard to find such an individually successful season in recent times, we’d probably have to go back to the days of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014-2018.

In the end, the French striker finished the season with a tally of 44 goals and 15 assists. It’s the latter number that makes him unique, he’s not a classic striker, goalscorer and penalty killer, he’s a playmaker in a body of a ‘nine’ who can create chances for others.

He has deservedly made history alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Figo, Ronaldinho, Zidane, Kaká and Modric, who have all won the Ballon d’Or.

Sadio Mané came in second place and Robert Lewandowski came in third. Voters had virtually no rivals to Benzema, and so the 34-year-old Frenchman won the Ballon d’Or by the largest margin ever for second place.

According to the GOAL newspaper, France Football organisers were shocked at how many votes Benzema eventually received. This, too, shows that the Ballon d’Or for 2022 is in the right hands.

All four awards remained in the Spanish La Liga. The Ballon d’Or went to Benzema of Real Madrid, the best goalkeeper to Courtois of Real Madrid, the best youngster to Gavi of Barcelona and the best female footballer to Putellas of Barcelona.

Final placings:

10. Erling Haaland
9. Luka Modric
8. Vinícius
7. Thibaut Courtois
6. Kylian Mbappé
5. Mohammed Salah
4. Robert Lewandowski
3. Kevin De Bruyne
2. Sadio Mané
1. Karim Benzema

Source:: France Football