The magazine “France Football” held its 66th annual awards ceremony in Paris. As a result, Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or without a doubt, and the women’s Golden Ball belongs to Alexia Putellas. Thibaut Courtois was named goalkeeper of the year, while Robert Lewandowski was named striker of the year.
Here is the list of the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards:
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Benzema (Real Madrid / France)
Since the way the 2022 Ballon d’Or award is judged has been changed from year to season, and does not refer to the performance of the 2022 World Cup, Karim Benzema is considered to have no obstacles to winning the award.
In the 2021-2022 season, Benzema led Real Madrid to the Champions League and La Liga titles from a total of 46 matches with 44 goals and 15 assists at Real Madrid.
The 34-year-old Benzema has repeatedly scored goals and steered Real Madrid forward in key matches. Regardless of the individual performance of the players or the honor of the team, the French national team player is recognized as the king.
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain)
The Women’s Football Golden Ball award is back with Alexia Putellas. Last season, Putellas led the Barcelona women’s football team to win La Liga, Champions League and domestic cup championships.
Putellas played 37 games and scored 28 goals. Putellas was the winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or last season, which she won again this season. Putellas made history as the first player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or since France Football started it in 2018.
Yashin Award (Best Goalkeeper 2022): Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid / Belgium)
For the 2021-2022 season, the Yashin Award was presented to Thibaut Courtois. The Spanish national team player is known to have successfully led Real Madrid to win the Champions League and La Liga.
In La Liga, Courtois has conceded just 29 goals in 36 games, and several times in the Champions League. Courtois won the Yashin Award for the first time, which was launched by France Football magazine in 2019. The previous two winners were Alisson and Donnarumma.
Gerd Muller Award (Striker of the Year): Robert Lewandowski (Bayern & Barcelona / Poland)
The magazine “France Football” began awarding the best striker for the first time in 2021, and Robert Lewandowski, who scored 59 goals for Bayern Munich and the national team, was selected. The best striker of the 2022 season has been renamed the “Ged Muller Award”, and the winner is still Lewandowski, who scored 57 goals in 56 club and national team appearances in the 2021-2022 season.
Kepa Award (Best Young Player): Gavi (Barcelona / Spain)
This award was established in 2018 and is given to young players under the age of 21. The three previous winners were Kylian Mbappe, De Ligt and Pedri. This year’s Kepa award went to Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi), who beat Camavinga and Musciara.
The 18-year-old talent was outstanding last season, playing 47 times for Barcelona, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists, showing a maturity not matched by his youth.
For the second year in a row, the Kepa Award has been won by Barcelona’s young players, namely Pedri and Gavi. Currently, these two players are Barcelona’s main strength under Xavi Hernandez, and are expected to be Barca’s future.
Club of the Year: Manchester City FC (Premier League)
The award went to Manchester City, who beat Liverpool in the Premier League title race last season in impressive form. Surprisingly, Real Madrid, champions of La Liga and Champions League last season, were beaten, and were only in third place, and Liverpool in second.
“France Football” first established this award in 2021, when Chelsea won the award, and the winner of the “Club of the Year” award went back to Premier League side Man City.
Socrates Award (Humanity Award): Sadio Mane (Liverpool & Bayern Munich / Senegal)
This is a new award created by France Football magazine in 2022 to recognize players who have contributed to society. Former Liverpool striker, and now playing for Bayern Munich, Sadio Mane was selected.
As the greatest footballer in Senegal, Mane has not forgotten his initial intentions after becoming famous, he actively participated in charities, donated money to build hospitals and schools for his hometown, and funded children from underprivileged families to attend school.
