Never present on the Ballon d’Or podium, Karim Benzema failed in 4th place last year, ahead of Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho. This year, he appears to be the big favorite to win this prestigious trophy.
Indeed, the criteria have changed and KB9 don’t seem to have any competition in this race for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
First criterion: individual performances and their decisiveness
46 matches with Real Madrid last season, 44 goals and 15 assists. Karim Benzema’s individual statistics are dizzying. He finished top scorer in the Champions League and the Spanish championship. Two competitions he flew over. The decisive side of his goals is beyond doubt: in C1, his hat-trick in the round of 16 enabled PSG to be overthrown, his goals against Chelsea and Manchester City in extra time enabled Real to qualify for the next round.
In La Liga, Real were champions with a 13-point lead over their runners-up, but they were able to be decisive in important matches. His goal of victory in Seville during the 32nd day proves it. By scoring against Frankfurt on Wednesday, he is even more part of the legend of Real Madrid by becoming the second top scorer in club history, ahead of Raùl.
Second criterion: collective performance and prize list
The World Cup in Qatar starting in November, the competition which acts as a justice of the peace for the awarding of this Ballon d’Or 2022 is the Champions League. Karim Benzema and Real Madrid won it on May 28 against Liverpool (1-0). To this prestigious title, we must add the coronation in La Liga, the Spanish Supercup and the European Supercup, his last trophy, won on Wednesday against Frankfurt (2-0).
READ ALSO. European Supercup. Karim Benzema, a first evening on the momentum of last season
Third criterion: the class of the player and his sense of fair play
This is the criterion on which Karim Benzema stands out the least. Difficult to quantify the class of the French. But on the pitch, he sets an example for his teammates, unwilling to pull cover to himself. For example, after Rodrygo’s double against Manchester City in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League, he offered the Brazilian to take the qualifying penalty in extra time. A gesture full of altruism, despite Rodrygo’s refusal. His number of cards also illustrates his level of fair play on the pitch: in 46 matches played with Real Madrid last season, he was only booked once.