Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or, Manchester City named greatest membership

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema lifted his first Ballon d’Or trophy in a ceremony in Paris. The French striker noticed off Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski to win the 2022 males’s Ballon d’Or.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 18, 2022 02:44 IST

Karim Benzema lifts his first Ballon d’Or trophy in Paris (AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema lifted his first Ballon d’Or trophy in a ceremony in Paris. The French striker noticed off Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski to win the 2022 males’s Ballon d’Or.

The French striker scored 44 objectives in 46 matches final season to assist Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. 1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zinedine Zidane offered the trophy to Benzema, who turned the oldest participant since Stanley Matthews in 1956 to win the celebrated award.

Speaking on the occasion, the 34-year-old mentioned age is only a quantity for him and he nonetheless has a burning want to play on the highest stage.

“Age is only a quantity for me. People play till their later years now and I nonetheless have this burning want. It is that this drive that has saved me going and by no means allowed me to let up,” said Benzema.

The Frenchman went on to say that he never gave up on his dream and was honored to be among his childhood heroes, Zidane and Ronaldo, at the event.

“It makes me actually proud. All the work I did, I by no means gave up. It was a childhood dream, like all youngsters – the motivation. I had two motivations in my life – Zidane and Ronaldo. I’ve all the time had this dream in my thoughts that something is feasible,” Benzema added.

Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas received the ladies’s Ballon d’Or for a second straight yr, turning into the primary girls’s participant to attain the feat.

In different awards, Barcelona’s 18-year-old midfielder Gavi was awarded the Kopa trophy, given to one of the best under-21 participant from final season. The Lev Yashin award for greatest goalkeeper went to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois. Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski walked away with the Gerd Muller greatest striker award, whereas Manchester City was adjudged one of the best membership from final season.