The Ballon d'Or ceremony in 2022 turned out to be virtually devoid of the main intrigue.
In previous years, an exciting fight for the award has unfolded between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, after both athletes slowed down a bit, it became interesting who would get the prestigious award instead of them.
For example, in 2018, the series of victories of the star duet was interrupted by Luka Modric.
In 2020, the ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And last year, the Argentine in many ways unexpectedly outstripped Robert Lewandowski, who was considered the main favorite.
This year, neither experts nor fans doubted that Karim Benzema would take the first place in the voting.
The Frenchman had a successful season, during which he scored 44 goals in 46 matches in all competitions.
At the same time, he became the top scorer in both Examples (27 goals) and the Champions League (15).
Along the way, he won four trophies with Real Madrid at once: the championship and the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
Next up was the Ballon d'Or.
He successfully represented the experienced striker and the French national team, to which he returned in 2021.
Last autumn, he did his best to ensure that she won the Nations League, scoring once in the semi-final and final of the tournament.
Many even the media reported in advance about his victory.
So, according to Marca, Benzema was to be named the best player, Thibaut Courtois went to the Lev Yashin prize, and Gavi went to the Copa Trophy.
Of course, everyone in France was waiting for Karim's victory, and a full house gathered at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, where the event took place.
The organizers also prepared unusual surprises.
For example, the Golden Ball was delivered to the place on the Formula 1 car by Esteban Ocon.
At the ceremony, Karim Benzema appeared in a black tuxedo and gold-rimmed glasses.
As it turned out, his outfit turned out to be a reference to the costume of the famous rapper Tupac at the American Music Awards-1996.
The football player wished to share the solemn moment with the closest people: his wife and little son came with him, who gladly posed for photographers on the red carpet.
Moreover, according to media reports, the Golden Ball was going to visit Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in five years.
The Portuguese was ready to make an exception in order to personally congratulate a friend.
At the same time, the five-time winner of the award himself took a modest 20th place.
For him, this is the worst result since 2005, when he held a similar position.
Messi for the first time in many years was not even among the nominees and, of course, he did not go to Paris.
The event began with the presentation of the Kopa Trophy to the best young football player.
They, as expected, recognized Gavi.
Moreover, he received the statuette from the hands of teammate Pedri, who won it in 2021.
The 18-year-old midfielder looked embarrassed and could not find words for a long time.
But the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, did not hide his emotions.
The camera snatched the functionary in the hall when he, smiling, brushed away a tear from his eyes.
However, he did not have much to be proud of that evening.
In addition to Gavi, the victory from the representatives of the Catalan club was won by Alexia Putellas, who took the women's Golden Ball for the second time in a row.
The newcomer of the blue garnet Robert Lewandowski did not remain without awards, but the Pole received it for scoring accomplishments in Bayern.
He was awarded the Gerd Müller Prize as the player who scored the most goals in official matches both at club level and for national teams.
Last season, he scored 50 goals for Munich alone and even surpassed Benzema's result.
Of the stars of Real Madrid, in addition to Benzema, Thibault Courtois received the award.
The Belgian winning the Lev Yashin trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world also did not surprise anyone, because he repeatedly rescued Madrid, and in the Champions League final with Liverpool he made a number of incredible saves.
Moreover, the prize was presented to him by Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Aller, who is currently undergoing treatment for oncology.
The forward attended the ceremony despite undergoing recent chemotherapy.
However, in the final list, the goalkeeper took only seventh place, which he was extremely dissatisfied with.
According to the athlete, today the representatives of his role have practically no chance of winning.
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas supported the Belgian, emphasizing that he deserved to be in the top 3.
Finally, Manchester City was recognized as the club of the year, delegating six nominees to the list for the Golden Ball at once, and Sadio Mane, who actively helps fellow citizens in his native Senegal, went to the Socrates award for activities outside of football.
It only remained to present Benzema with a well-deserved award.
It is symbolic that the last winner of the award from France and former mentor of Karim Zinedine Zidane was honored to announce the triumphant.
At that time, only Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Lewandowski were left with the striker.
The world and European champion did not hesitate and named the best player of the last season.
The happy striker, although he was ready for this, still looked a little surprised and embarrassed.
But all those present in the hall did not hide their emotions.
It seemed that even rivals were happy for the forward.
The hall burst into applause, and then some began to chant the name of the victor.
The athlete, having stepped on stage with his mother, thanked his teammates and admitted that Zidane and Ronaldo have always been role models for him.
As a result, he received the first congratulations just from idols, because the Brazilian also visited Paris and honored Gavi.
“It’s hard work, training over and over again.
There were also difficult times.
The period when I did not get into the national team, but communicated with many people, turned out to be difficult.
He strengthened me morally... I think age doesn't matter.
After thirty, many increase their level.
It is purposefulness, work.
I train much more and tell myself that you can’t give up, ”the scorer emphasized.
It was no coincidence that the football player raised the topic of age, because at 34 years and 290 days he turned out to be the oldest victor in 66 years.
The record of the Englishman Stanley Matthews in 1956, who received the award at 41 years and 321 days, is unlikely to ever be beaten.
Benzema also became the fifth winner of the Golden Ball from France after Raymond Kop, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin and Zidane and the first since 1998.
This time, of his compatriots, Kylian Mbappe also managed to get into the top 10, taking sixth place.
In addition to them, Manet should be noted.
The Senegalese overtook De Bruyne in the fight for second place and showed the best result for the representatives of Africa since 1995, when George Weah won.
Moreover, the continent was also represented in the top five by the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, who closed it.
Fourth position went to Lewandowski.
Separately, it is worth speaking out about the young talent Erling Holland, who turned out to be the tenth.
It is no coincidence that during the presentation of the Gerd Muller prize to the Pole, a photo of the Norwegian appeared on the screen from behind.
In the future, he, for sure, will not only compete for the title of the leading striker of the planet, but also directly for the Golden Ball.