Ballon d'Or 2022: Rankings Revealed
Benzema Wins Prestigious Award, Ending Messi's Reign
Karim Benzema has been crowned the winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual award in football. The Real Madrid forward beat out a field of talented players, including Lionel Messi, Sadio Mane, and Kevin De Bruyne, to claim the top prize.
Benzema's victory marks the end of Messi's six-year reign as Ballon d'Or winner. Messi, who won the award in 2021, finished second this year, while Mane placed third and De Bruyne finished fourth.
Benzema's Stellar Season
Benzema has enjoyed a stellar season with Real Madrid, leading the club to victory in both La Liga and the Champions League. The French striker scored 44 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the Champions League, where he was named the Player of the Tournament.
Benzema's performances have been praised by pundits and fans alike, with many calling him the best player in the world. His combination of skill, goalscoring ability, and leadership has made him a key figure for Real Madrid.
Messi's Disappointing Season
Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or a record seven times, had a disappointing season by his standards. The Argentine forward joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, but he struggled to adapt to the new club and league.
Messi scored just 11 goals in 34 appearances for PSG, a far cry from his usual output. He also failed to inspire the team to Champions League glory, as they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Real Madrid.
Other Notable Rankings
In addition to Benzema, Messi, and Mane, several other players finished in the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or rankings.
- 4th: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- 5th: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
- 6th: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- 7th: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
- 8th: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- 9th: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- 10th: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)