Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema has won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his football career while Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas clinched her second successive Ballon d’Or Féminin, trophies.
Benzema, the Frenchman, becomes only the second player aside from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2008. Benzema’s Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric won the prize in 2018.
Ballon d’Or is awarded for performance in the 2021-22 season, rather than the calendar year. Last season, Benzema was in top form as he helped his team win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
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The Real Madrid striker scored 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in a season.
Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane came second, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne came third and Robert Lewandowski, who won the Gerd Muller award tonight came fourth.
The likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were both in the top 10 while Benzema is only the second player not named Lionel Messi – who did not make the final shortlist this year – or Cristiano Ronaldo to scoop the prize since 2007.
Harry Kane finished 21st in the voting, with Ronaldo in 20th, his worst result since 2005, and Haaland 10th. Mbappe came sixth in the voting, just behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Gavi picked up the Kopa Trophy, for the best men’s U21 player, beating the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka.
Meanwhile, Barcelona superstar Putellas clinched her second successive Ballon d’Or Féminin, with Beth Mead second in the voting after starring for Arsenal and England, Thibaut Courtois won the Yashin Trophy.
Putellas became the first player to win the award twice last night.
The Spaniard scored 42 goals and delivered 22 assists last season as she won the Spanish League and reached the Champions League final.
She has been sidelined since July after injuring her left knee and undergoing surgery on the eve of the Women’s European Championship.
“When I got injured I didn’t think I’d be here today, but it makes me proud to get recompense for all that hard work,” she said. “I miss playing so much and doing what I like to do the most.”
Putellas beat out fellow forwards Beth Mead of Arsenal and England and Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia for the award.
