No Opponents Throughout Last Season, Karim Benzema Legally Won The 2022 Ballon d'Or

JAKARTA - Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has won the 2022 men's Ballon d'Or.

The 34-year-old scored 44 goals in 46 games last season as Real won the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish and European Super Cups.

Benzema was crowned the Ballon d'Or trophy in a ceremony in Paris on Monday night ahead of Sadio Mane in second and Kevin De Bruyne in third.

With the trophy he won, Benzema became the first French Ballon D'Or winner since Zinedine Zidane - who awarded the trophy in 1998.

The striker is also the oldest Ballon D'Or winner since Stanley Matthews won the first edition of the award in 1956.

"This makes me very proud," Benzema was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Tuesday.

"All the work I do, I never give up. It's a childhood dream like all children - motivation.

"I have two motivations in my life - Zidane and Ronaldo (Nazario). I always have this dream in my mind that anything is possible.

"There were difficult periods when I wasn't in the French national team, but I never stopped working or gave up. I always keep my head down, concentrate on playing football and I am very proud of my journey here."

"It's been easy, it's been a tough time. It's also been tough for my family. To be here today, for the first time for me, I'm happy and excited about my job and I'm going on."

Not to forget, Benzema thanked his colleagues at Real Madrid and the French national team. Without them, one of his dreams would not have come true.

"I want to thank my team-mates, whether it's Real Madrid or the national team. My coach, thanks to him too. Real Madrid president too."

"I have to thank a lot of people. It's an individual gift, but it's a collective gift because everyone plays a role."