Karim Benzema (34) was unsurprisingly voted Ballon d’Or for the 2021/22 season. The French striker of Real Madrid was one of the great architects of the victory in the Champions League.
The Frenchman, who succeeds Lionel Messi (PSG), was the top scorer in the competition with 15 goals, including two hat-tricks once morest PSG and Chelsea. He was also La Liga’s most effective player, scoring 27 goals, contributing to Real’s national title.
In the final ranking according to the votes of 100 specialized journalists from 100 different countries, Karim Benzema preceded the Senegalese Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich) and the Belgian Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City).
The Belgian Thibaut Courtois, decisive during the success in the Champions League of Real Madrid, in particular in the final once morest Liverpool, meanwhile logically won the Yachine trophy honoring the best goalkeeper. He also finished 7th overall.
Lewandowski honored
The Gerd Müller trophy, which rewards the top scorer, went to Pole Robert Lewandowski, who left Bayern Munich this summer for Barcelona. He scored 57 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions last season. ‘Lewy’ had beaten Müller, who died in August 2021 aged 75, the goalscoring record in a Bundesliga season by scoring 41 times in 2020/21.
On the women’s side, the fourth Ballon d’Or in history crowned the Spaniard Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) for the second consecutive year. Injured, she missed the Euro in England this summer. She was ahead in the standings of two English winners of the competition, namely Beth Mead and Sam Kerr.
The Kopa trophy for the best youngster went to Gavi (18), the FC Barcelona midfielder. He succeeds his teammate and compatriot Pedri on the list.
Mané’s commitment rewarded
That of the Socrates prize, rewarding those who engage in social and charitable projects, was awarded to Sadio Mané, the Bayern Munich striker and former Liverpool player. The Senegalese does a lot for humanitarian and social aid in his country.
He was rewarded for his investment in the development of his native village of Bambali, in the south of Senegal, where he notably encouraged equal access for boys and girls to the practice of football. Mané has also financed a hospital there and promised to equip the football field of this village of Casamance with a synthetic lawn.
Manchester City has finally been named club of the year ahead of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
This article has been published automatically. Source: ats