Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) won the Ballon d’Or for the first time, a trophy that is awarded at the Theater Chatelet in Paris. The Frenchman is followed by Senegalese Sadio Mane and Belgian Kevin De Bruyne. The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo took only 20th place, and the Argentine Lionel Messi was not nominated.

At the age of 34 (he turns 35 on December 19), Benzema has impressed this season, winning the Champions League, La Liga, Supercopa de España and European Supercup with Real Madrid.

Also, the Frenchman has already received the title of player of the 2021-2022 season in the Champions League.

Karim won 5 Champions League trophies with Galacticos.

What Karim Benzema said after winning the Ballon d’Or.

Benzema became the first Frenchman to receive the award since Zinedine Zidane in 1998. The former coach of “Real” presented him with the trophy.

“This is pride. This is the dream of every child. I grew up with that in my head. I have had this motivation since childhood. I had two role models in my life: Zizou and Ronaldo. I never gave up and kept this dream in my head. I am proud of my trajectory. This is the first time I have received this trophy. I am very happy and will continue to work, of course.

There was a period when I did not go to the national team, but I did not give up and worked. It was hard and it only made me stronger. I am satisfied with my work and very happy.

I thank my colleagues from Real Madrid and the national team. I thank my coaches. For the president of Real Madrid, he is like my family, thanks to him I realized my dream of playing for Real Madrid. Thank you to my family and the entire Lyon academy and President Olas. This is an individual award, but for me it is actually a collective award” – Karim Benzema.

Awards presented on the occasion of the Golden Ball 2022 gala ceremony.

Kopa Award (Best Young Player): Gavi (Barcelona)

Yashin Prize (best goalkeeper): Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)

Gerd Müller Award (best goalscorer): Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich / FC Barcelona)

“Club of the Year” award: Manchester City (England)

“Socrates” Award (social and charitable projects): Sadio Mane (Senegal, FC Liverpool / Bayern Munich)

“Golden Ball” (best player): Alexia Putellas (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Ballon d’Or (best player): Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid).

Final rating of “Golden Ball 2022”.

1. Karim Benzema (France, “Real”)

2. Sadio Mane (Senegal, FC Liverpool/Bayern Munich)

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)

4. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, “Bavaria” / “Barcelona”)

5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, “Liverpool”)

6. Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris-SG)

7. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, “Real”)

8. Vinicius Junior (Brazil, “Real”)

9. Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)

10. Erling Haaland (Norway, Borussia Dortmund/Manchester City)

11. Son Heung-min (South Korea, Tottenham)

12. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester City)

13. Sebastian Haller (Côte d’Ivoire, Ajax / Borussia Dortmund)

14. Rafael Leao (Portugal, “Milan”)

14. Fabinho (Brazil, “Liverpool”)

17. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands, “Liverpool”)

17. Luis Diaz (Colombia, “Porto” / “Liverpool”)

17. Dusan Vlahovich (Serbia, “Fiorentina” / “Juventus”)

17. Casemiro (Brazil, Real Madrid/Manchester United)

20. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United)

21. Harry Kane (England, Tottenham)

22. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England, “Liverpool”)

22. Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)

22. Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)

25. Mike Magnan (France, “Milan”)

25. Darwin Nunes (Uruguay, “Benfica” / “Liverpool”)

25. Joshua Kimmich (Germany, “Bayern”)

25. Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, “Chelsea” / “Real”)

25. Christopher Nkunku (France, RB Leipzig)

25. Joao Cancelo (Portugal, Manchester City).

Lionel Messi was not among the nominees, for the first time since 2005

30 players have been nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’Or, and for the first time since 2005, Lionel Messi was not on the list. The Argentine won the prestigious trophy seven times during his career (a record).

Golden Ball 2022 gala ceremony in the photo