Real Madrid star Karim Benzema crowned 2022 Ballon d’Or winner

Karim Benzema has been crowned the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner.

The Real Madrid striker was the firm favourite to scoop the biggest individual accolade in world football, winning the award for the first time in his career at a ceremony in France on Monday.

The 34-year-old played an instrumental role in Real’s La Liga and Champions League double last season, scoring 44 times in 46 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign.

The Frenchman scored stunning hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages of the Champions League, scoring another three across two legs in the semi-finals against Manchester City.

The Real skipper has netted five in 10 appearances this term, including against Barcelona in Sunday’ Clasico victory.

‘Seeing this award in front of me makes me really proud of the work I have done. It was childhood dream, to have the motivation… I had two role models [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldo and always I had this dream in my mind that anything is possible,’ Benzema said.

‘I am really proud of my journey here. It wasn’t easy it was difficult. To be here today for the first time, I am happy, pleased for my work and want to keep going.

‘I want to thank all my team-mates at Real Madrid and France and my coach and the Real Madrid president who is here this evening and also the support of Jean-Michel Aulas [Lyon president].

‘There are a lot of people to thank. It is an individual prize but still a collective one because of everyone who played a role in it.’

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, finished in second place after helping Senegal win their first ever Africa Cup of Nations in February.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne took third place ahead