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Karim Benzema has won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest strikers of all time.
The 34-year-old was rewarded for a sensational 2021-22 campaign with Real Madrid, during which he scored 48 goals and 15 assists while leading his side to Champions League and La Liga titles. He also led France to a UEFA Nations League title in October 2021.
Benzema won the prize for the first time in his career as he continues his prolific form into his mid-30s.
Rounding out the top five were Sadio Mané in second, Kevin De Bruyne in third, Robert Lewandowski in fourth and Mohamed Salah in fifth.
Benzema has been one of the world’s best since emerging at Lyon in the mid-2000s, earning a move to Real Madrid in 2009. In Spain, Benzema has won four league titles and five Champions Leagues, leading Madrid’s line while increasingly becoming a vocal leader in recent years.
Benzema’s scoring at Madrid notably increased after Cristiano Ronaldo departed to join Juventus ahead of the 2018-19 season. In each of the four subsequent seasons, Benzema has surpassed 20 league goals.
Alexia Putellas wins second consecutive Ballon d’Or
Barcelona and Spain star Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive season.
Putellas was awarded the prize in 2021 for leading Barcelona to a treble, and was once again honored on Monday during a ceremony in Paris.
The 28-year-old had another sensational campaign at club level in 2021-22, though Barcelona fell short of another treble after losing to Lyon in the Champions League final.
Putellas was top scorer in last year’s Champions League with 11 goals in 10 games, and she added an incredible 18 goals and 15 assists from 26 games in the Spanish league.
Prior to Euro 2022, however, Putellas suffered a torn ACL, delivering a huge blow to Spain’s chances at the tournament. La Roja would eventually fall to England in the quarterfinals.
MORE:Trinity Rodman at Ballon d’Or ceremony: ‘I can’t even believe that I was nominated!’
Gavi wins Kopa Trophy
Barcelona star Gavi has been awarded the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best performing player under the age of 21.
Gavi was the youngest of the 10 finalists for the prize, which was first awarded in 2018. The Spanish midfielder broke through for club and country in 2021-22 at the age of 17, and looks set to be a longtime fixture for both Spain and Barcelona along with last year’s Kopa winner, Pedri.
Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga came in second in the voting, with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala third.
Thibaut Courtois wins Yashin Trophy
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been awarded the Yashin Trophy, which is given to the top goalkeeper.
The Belgian led Madrid to La Liga and Champions League success in 2021-22, saving perhaps his best performance for the Champions League final against Liverpool.
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