Karim Benzema Sets to be ‘crowned 2022 Ballon d’Or winner’

Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema is expected to be crowned winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

It will be the French International’s first time in his glittering career to win one of football’s most coveted prizes.

The French striker, who scored in Real’s 3-1 El Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday, has beaten off competition from Polish star Robert Lewandowski and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane to bag the prestigious award, according to a leaked report ahead of the award ceremony in the French Capital, Paris tonight.  

The Real Madrid skipper netted 27 goals last season and was top scorer in the Champions League with 15, as he led the Spanish giants to both a LaLiga title victory and upset Liverpool to clinch their 14th European Cup crown. 

A win for Benzema, alongside Mane and Lewandowski, will mark the first time neither Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo have appeared in the top three since 2006. 

The last Real Madrid player to win the Ballon d’Or winner was Luka Modric in 2018, and Benzema will become the eighth different Madrid star to collect the award. 

The report also claimed that Benzema’s Real team-mate Thibaut Courtois will scoop the Yashin award to add to his Golden Gloves gong at the 2018 World Cup, after starring for Madrid last season – including his man of the match display in the Champions League Final. 

The Belgian was nominated alongside Alisson Becker, Ederson, Mike Maignan, Yassine Bounou ‘Bono’, Edouard Mendy, Manuel Neuer, Jan Oblak, Kevin Trapp and Hugo Lloris. 

Gavi will follow in the footsteps of stars like Kylian Mbappe and midfield partner Pedri by winning the Kopa Trophy, ahead of names including Jude Bellingham, Bakyo Saka and Jamal Musiala.

Credit: Daily Mail