Star Footballer Karim Benzema – the Real Madrid and France marksman – on Monday night became the oldest Ballon d’Or winner in 66 years.
Like fine wine, 34-year-old Benzema has gotten better with age and was clearly the best individual football player last season.
Benzema won the coveted Ballon d’Or prize ahead of a galaxy of football stars that included Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr. and Erling Haaland.
Speaking at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris after accepting the Golden Ball, Benzema said: “Age is just a number for me. People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire.”
He added: “This makes me really proud, all the work I did, I never gave up. I had two role models in my life, Zidane and Ronaldo as well. I always had this dream in my mind that everythings possible.
The Ballon d’Or awarded by French magazine, France Football, is widely considered the highest individual achievement for any player in the world.
Benzema – the Real Madrid prolific marksman – was the first French winner of the prestigious individual award in football since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 games for his club last season as Real won the Champions League and La Liga.
Other winners on the night included:
- The 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner: Alexia Putellas
- 2022 Yachine trophy winner: Thibaut Courtois
- 2022 Kopa trophy winner: Gavi
