MIAMI, United States. — Real Madrid’s French footballer Karim Benzema established himself as the best player in the world by winning the Ballon d’Or on Monday, which is awarded annually by France Football magazine.
The 34-year-old striker received the award from his compatriot Zinedine Zidane at a gala held at the Châtelet Theater in Paris.
“This award that I have in front of me fills me with pride. When I was little, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up”, declared Benzema in his words of acceptance of the coveted award.
The Frenchman was seconded in the votes by the Senegalese Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich), the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) and the Polish Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona).
Benzema’s victory in Paris was based on his excellent season with Real Madrid, in which he guided the Whites to victory in the Spanish League and the UEFA Champions League. The white “9” was the best player and top scorer in both competitions, with 27 and 15 goals, respectively.
At the same gala, Spanish soccer player Alexia Putellas, from FC Barcelona, won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or, becoming the first woman to do so since the launch of the women’s award in 2018.
“Without my colleagues this would not have been possible. I want to thank the coaching staff, the coach and everyone involved in Barcelona”, said the 28-year-old after receiving the award.
Putellas, away from the courts since last June due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, beat the English Beth Mead (Arsenal) and the Australian Sam Kerr (Chelsea), who were second and third, respectively.
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