October 18 – For the first time in his illustrious yet often controversial career, Real Madrid’s French international forward Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona’s Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas retained her women’s crown.
The prestigious prize capped a brilliant season by Benzema, reward for several stunning performances that helped Real win the Champions League and La Liga.
He became the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998, scoring 44 times for Madrid, including 15 in Europe, and equalling Raúl González as the club’s second-highest scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 34, he was also the oldest winner since the first recipient in 1956, Stanley Matthews.
“Age is just a number for me,” said Benzema. “People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire. It is this drive that has kept me going and never allowed me to let up. I’m really proud, it’s a lot of work and a kid’s dream come true.”
Benzema won the award ahead of Sadio Mané and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. Mané played for Liverpool last season and joined Bayern Munich in the summer.
Benzema succeeded Lionel Messi, who won the award for a record-extending seventh time last year but was not even among the nominees this time after his first season with Paris Saint-Germain.
For the first time this year, the Ballon d’Or was based on achievements from the past season. It had previously been awarded based on performances throughout calendar years.
After nearly six years out of the national team following his involvement in a sex tape scandal, for which he was later handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of €75,000 ($73,848), Benzema was recalled by France coach Didier Deschamps last year ahead of the European Championship and has played regularly since.
“There were much more difficult moments for me, when I was not selected (with France) and I did not give up,” Benzema said after Zidane, his former coach at Madrid, handed him the trophy awarded by France Football magazine. “I am really proud of my career. This is the Golden Ball of the people.”
Putella, who scored 42 goals and delivered 22 assists for Barcelona last season, became the first women’s player to win the award twice. She has been sidelined since July after injuring her left knee and undergoing surgery on the eve of the Women’s European Championship.
“When I got injured I didn’t think I’d be here today, but it makes me proud to get recompense for all that hard work,” she said. “I miss playing so much and doing what I like to do the most.”
Putellas beat fellow forwards Beth Mead of Arsenal and England and Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia at the glittering ceremony in Paris.
Both teams in last season’s Champions League final, Real Madrid and Liverpool, lost out in the Best Club award which went to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714161813labto1714161813ofdlr1714161813owedi1714161813sni@w1714161813ahsra1714161813w.wer1714161813dna1714161813