Karim Benzema

When the France striker was 15, he had his sights set on football's most prestigious prize. At 34, he's finally claimed an elusive Ballon d'Or.

Eighteen years on, all the dreams have now been fulfilled. Did he party after being crowned the best player in the world? At 34 (he turns 35 at the end of December), he is the oldest Ballon d'Or winner since Stanley Matthews in 1956, a legend of a bygone era. The Ballon d'Or given to Karim the Dream (as he is called) marks a reward for a long career in which he's played a different style of football, one with flair, awareness, creativity and brains. [Karim Benzema](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/46858/Karim-Benzema)'s beautiful mansion in Ciudalcampo, an exclusive community on the outskirts of Madrid, there has been a space reserved for the Ballon d'Or trophy in his trophy cabinet. "Karim is football," said Carlo Ancelotti on Monday night.

The striker became the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or since Zinedine Zidane after inspiring Real Madrid to European Cup glory.

He scored [three more at Stamford Bridge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/06/chelsea-real-madrid-champions-league-quarter-final-first-leg-match-report), and scored again at the Bernabéu. [clipped in a Panenka](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/26/manchester-city-real-madrid-champions-league-semi-final-first-leg-match-report). [scored a hat-trick](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/09/real-madrid-psg-champions-league-last-16-match-report) to take them through. Stepping into the spotlight, he has been recognised too, the conversation shifting, his legacy ever larger, ever more lasting. A week later, he had another one at the Bernabéu, the clock on 96, and he scored that too, [sending Madrid to the final](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/04/real-madrid-manchester-city-champions-league-semi-final-second-leg-match-report). He played, he liked to say, for those who understand the game. “People talk about Karim as a pure No 9, a 9 and a half, a 10; for me, he’s a bit of everything,” he said. Comeback: that’s a word you might have heard a bit, [Benzema at the heart](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/27/k9-is-your-guardian-angel-how-karim-benzema-transformed-himself-and-real-madrid) of probably the most absurd campaign the European Cup has seen. Yet six days after those two misses in just seven minutes against Herrera, he stood on the spot at the Etihad Stadium, with time running out and the pressure on and It has taken 14 years, and there may even be an argument that in his case being at Madrid was an obstacle at times, the shadow cast by Cristiano Ronaldo colossal, but now he is. He won the “We all know what’s going to happen and we all want it to happen and we’re very happy for Karim,” he said.

Karim Benzema Celebrates Ballon d'Or Win With a Golden Real Madrid Jersey: Coming alongside a golden X Speedportal boot and a new film entitled 'Hand of ...

[X Speedportal](https://hypebeast.com/tags/adidas-x-speedportal), has been customized with gold accents, sole plates, and aglets that are inspired by the tones of the French tricolor. And while Croatian footballer [Luka Modric](https://hypebeast.com/tags/luka-modric) took the prize home in 2018, the beautiful game’s recent history will always be referred to as the Messi x Ronaldo era. The award is given to the best footballer of the year and since 2008, the top prize has been shared between arguably, the two best players in history: [Lionel Messi](https://hypebeast.com/tags/lionel-messi) and [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://hypebeast.com/tags/cristiano-ronaldo). Benzema’s boot of choice, the The film also tells Benzema’s footballing story that started as a young boy in France, who eventually made it to the top. The forward moved to Real Madrid from his home club of

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, a professional French footballer, has won the Men's Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball Award) 2022.

The Women’s Ballon d’Or was introduced in 2018. Notably: The most number of Ballon d’Or was received by Lionel Messi. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, a professional French footballer, has won the Men’s Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball Award) 2022 and becomes the 5th Frenchman to win the prize.

Karim Benzema, the nine that looks like a ten, received the 2022 Ballon d'Or at the age of 34 after a sensational last year with Real Madrid in which he won ...

A Ballon d'Or to recognise the golden football of an elegant player as the best midfielder and with a killer institute as the best goalscorer. He arrived at Real Madrid that year alongside other stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká, both of whom also won the Ballon d'Or, and was in the shadows due to his less protagonist character, although he always showed his great footballing ability. His good performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League with Lyon earned him the attention of many teams, but his intention was clear: to play for the most successful club on the European continent: Real Madrid. Benzema alluded to the bad times he went through, although he pointed out that this is part of a path and a dream that is not easy, but that with hard work it can be achieved. All this combined, of course, with a shot with both legs and a header that is also at the level of the best centre forwards in the world. A recognition to a football player in every sense of the word.

Karim Benzema's win in the Ballon d'Or has drawn plaudits from Neymar, but the Brazil star is more aggrieved by another player's finish.