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Real Madrid’s striker, Karim Benzema wins the men’s 2022 Ballon D’or in Paris for the first time.

Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 matches last season and also helped the club win the Champions League, and also the Spanish and European Super Cups.

The 34-year-old became the first French winner of the Ballon D’or since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and also the oldest Ballon D’or winner since Stanley Matthews won the first edition of the award in 1956

Karim Benzema join Real Madrid in 2009. His 14 years of presence in the club have given him a vital role to play in the club’s run in all competitions.

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The Ballon D’or award has been given to Real Madrid players 12 times in total. Benzema was crowned ahead of Sadio Mane in second place and Kevin De Bruyne in third place.

He stated, “It makes me really proud. All the work I did, I never gave up, it’s a childhood dream. I grew up with it in my head. Then I had the motivation. I had two role models in life: Zidane and Ronaldo.

“I thank my teammates at Real Madrid and in the national team. Also, my great president, who is like family to me.

“Also to the Lyon academy and the president [Jean-Michel] Aulas. Thanks to him I fulfilled my dream of playing for Real Madrid. I’m very happy that Ronaldo is here. I always wanted to be like him.