French striker Karim Benzema is the winner of the “Golden Ball” awarded to the best footballer in the world!
Benzema shone in the previous season and in 46 matches he scored 44 goals and had 15 assists.
Benzema thus became the only French player in history to win this accolade, and the first since Zinedine Zidane, who embraced the “Golden Ball” in 1998.
“I always had this dream that anything is possible. It was a difficult period when I was not in the national team, but I did not give up. I believed I would return. I am proud of my journey, which was difficult. Those were difficult times for my family as well. Being here today and winning this award for the first time for my efforts only makes me want to be even better. I am happy, I thank my teammates and coaches in both Real and the national team. Thanks also to the president of Real Florentino Perez. The Ballon d’Or is an individual award, but it comes from teamwork,” said Karim Benzema, who was just presented with the award by Zinedine Zidane.
Second place was won by Sadio Mane, third by Kevin de Bruyne, and fourth by Robert Lewandowski.
The “Raymond Kopa” award, intended for the best young player, was won by Barcelona’s first team player Gavi.
Gavi celebrated in front of players like Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Bukayo Saka.
The young Barcelona footballer played 48 matches in all competitions last season, scored two goals and had six assists, and this season he already has 13 matches on his account.
Barcelona footballer Robert Levandovski won the “Gerd Miller” award, which “French football” gives to the best striker.
In the season behind us, he scored 50 goals in 46 matches for the Bavarians, and he had a great start to his term in Barcelona, where he scored 14 goals in 13 matches.
The “Lev Yashin” trophy, for the best goalkeeper, was won by Tibo Courtois, goalkeeper of Real Madrid.
He celebrated in front of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and his compatriot Ederson. The top five were rounded out by Eduard Mendy from Chelsea and Mike Maignan from Milan, who was also in 25th place in the “Golden Ball” selection.
