The traditional Ballon d’Or ceremony took place in Paris yesterday. Karim Benzema, who started as the clear favorite, won the award, as did Alexia Putellas, who made history by winning it for the second consecutive year.
The Frenchman from Real Madrid was consecrated as the best player in the world after receiving, at the age of 34, the Ballon d’Or awarded by France Football magazine since 1956. Benzema got the award from his compatriot Zinedine Zidane. The white forward, who will turn 35 next December 19, author of an exceptional season, culminating in victories in the Spanish league and the Champions League, succeeds the Argentine Leo Messi, who last campaign achieved his seventh Ballon d’Or, but he was not among the candidates this year. Benzema becomes the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or since Zidane did it in 1998. The Frenchman was voted ahead of Senegalese Sadio Mané, now at Bayern Munich, who was a finalist with Liverpool last year in the Champions League and winner of the African Cup. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) and Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/FC Barcelona) also scored.
“This is every child’s dream, but it’s also a lot of work and it also has many difficult moments, like when I couldn’t go to the national team. But I didn’t collapse, I continued to work in training, thinking that I was lucky to play football. I am proud of my career», said Benzema.
alexia the queen
Alexia Putellas made history by winning her second consecutive Ballon d’Or. The Barça player adds a new award and becomes the first Spaniard, woman or man, to win the trophy twice, breaking the tie with Luis Suárez, who was the only one who had won it (in 1960) until the irruption of Alexia. The Blaugrana assured that this one is “different” because she picked it up still injured, at the same time affirming that her goal is “to improve every day”. I wouldn’t say it was a surprise to win again, but when I got injured the day before playing the Euros I didn’t think about it, I saw it far away. But the criterion has changed and it goes by sports season, the jury has based it on that, I was injured in the last month, but they have assessed the rest of the season and that makes me happy”, he said. Alexia scored 33 goals and distributed 18 assists in all competitions with Barça, winner of the league and finalist of the Champions League.
For his part, Gavi won the Kopa trophy as the best young footballer and Lewandowski added a new Gerd Mülleral award for best scorer of last season. Coutois was awarded the Yashin trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world and Manchester City was proclaimed best club.
