Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema wins men's Ballon d'Or 2022

Karim Benzema won men’s Ballon d’Or for first time on Monday after a brilliant season with Real Mrid capped by Champions League and Spanish league titles.

34-year-old Benzema h his best season ever at Mrid, being top scorer in both leagues. He scored 44 times with Mrid, including 15 in Europe’s top competition, and equaled Raúl González as club’s second-highest scorer behind Cristia Ronaldo.

Spanish player Alexia Putellas won women’s trophy for second straight year following ar standout season with Barcelona.

Awarded by France Football magazine, Ballon d’Or has been given out to men every year since 1956 when Stanley Matws won. women’s trophy was created in 2018, and both were canceled in 2020 because of pandemic.

Benzema became fifth Frenchman to win it after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin and Zinedine Zidane, who was crowned in 1998, year France won its first World Cup.

Benzema was t part of France squ that triumphed at 2018 World Cup in Russia but, barring an injury, will compete at tournament in Qatar next month.

After nearly six years out following his involvement in a sex tape scandal, Benzema was recalled by France coach Didier Deschamps last year ahe of European Championship and has played regularly since.

Leing an attack that also included Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, Benzema played a crucial role last season to drive Mrid to a record-extending 14th European title, and his fifth since he joined from Lyon in 2009. Frenchman was tournament’s top scorer and found net when it really mattered, with 10 of his goals in kckout sts.

Putellas scored 42 goals and delivered 22 assists last season. She became first player to win award twice.

Benzema won ahe of Liverpool’s Sio Mané and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

Benzema succeeded Lionel Messi, who won award for a record-extending seventh time last year but was t among minees this time after his first season with Paris Saint-Germain.

For first time this year, Ballon d’Or was based on achievements from past season. It h previously been awarded based on performances throughout calendar years.

With Barcelona, she won Spanish League and reached Champions League final. She has been sidelined since July after injuring her left knee and undergoing surgery on eve of Women’s European Championship.

Putellas beat out fellow forwards Beth Me of Arsenal and England and Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia for award at ceremony in Paris. A panel of international journalists chose winners.

In or awards, Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player went to 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi, while Robert Lewandowski won Gerd Müller award for best striker of year.

Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper went to Real Mrid’s Thibaut Courtois.

Ballon d’Or organizers ded a humanitarian prize named after late Brazil midfielder Socrates. trophy went to Liverpool’s Sio Mané for his charity work in Senegal including building a hospital and school donations