French striker Karim Benzema was awarded the Ballon d’Or for the year 2021/22 in a glittering ceremony at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday. The Real Madrid player won it for his sensational performance in LaLiga and Champions League as well as for the French National Team in 2022.
The Blancos striker scored 44 goals last season and took Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League win. Additionally, his goal-scoring exploits also brought the Spanish team their 35th LaLiga title. Although there was much excitement around the Ballon d’Or, the winner of the coveted trophy was all but confirmed. Benzema’s performance last year was leaps and bounds better than all the rest.
Talking of the ceremony, it was as flashy as it could be; starting from the arrival of the award itself. In what could only be described as a hero-esque entry, the coveted ball was brought to the event strapped on top of a Formula 1 car.
Here’s the video:
WHAT A NOISE! ??
It’s just… Esteban Ocon bringing the Trophy! @alpinecars@AlpineRacing#ballondor pic.twitter.com/lldfIkAkN5
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
Esteban Ocon, the French driver who drives for the French F1 team Alpine F1 Team made a noisy entry to the Théâtre du Châtelet. Ocon could be seen doing a burnout with Ballon d’Or stuck on top of the Alpine F1 car. Upon his entry, the trophy was unstrapped from the car and handed over to Ocon to carry it into the event.
Ronaldo Nazario is my idol- Karim Benzema
Benzema later became the oldest footballer to win the Ballon d’Or since Stanley Mathews won at 41 years in 1956. Benzema was 34 years old when he won the award. After the victory, the Real Madrid player said, “Ronaldo Nazario knows that he is my idol and everyone knows that we will never see anyone like him again.”
He also lauded Zinedine Zidane, another French legend as his role model. “I had two role models in life: Zizou and Ronaldo. I’ve never lowered my efforts and I’ve kept the dream in my head, even through a period in which I was not in the national team,” said Benzema.
“But I did not lower my efforts and it worked. It has been difficult and this only made me stronger mentally. I am satisfied with my work and I am very happy. I thank my teammates at Real Madrid and the national team, “concluded the French footballer.
