What if Karim Benzema did not become the 66th Ballon d’Or winner? The Frenchman from Real Madrid was announced months ago as the favorite for the 2022 edition of the famous individual award. That’s right if we focus on the ‘KB9’ season: champions of Spain, winner of the Champions League… Benzema had a great season 2021-2022 collectively but also individually: 50 goals and 16 assists in 56 games.
Figo, Nedved, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo… The Ballon d’Or might be a surprise
What reinforces the idea of seeing him win this Ballon d’Or is also that there is no opponent against him. No other player really comes through. Within Real Madrid’s workforce, players can claim it and especially Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper also saved his team several times in the previous season. the problem? The presence of the Yashin Cup, which rewards the best goalkeeper. It’s hard to see a goalkeeper win both titles…
However, in the past, the Golden Ball has come as a surprise more than once. Some of the contested Ballons d’Or winners are remembered more than their performances that season. Several examples: Portuguese Luis Figo in 2000, when Zinedine Zidane won the Euro 2000 championship and was the best player in the tournament with the Blues. Pavel Nedved faced a challenge in 2003 as well, with Frenchman Thierry Henry seemingly sticking with the streak.
The French are often crowned in this position
Two other versions were heavily criticized and are still talked about today: the 2010 and 2013 version. In 2010, it was Argentine Lionel Messi who won, while Wesley Sneijder was the best player (Triple Championship Trophy – Champions League with Inter, reached the final. Cup world 2010). And in 2013, Franck Ribery paid for the victory of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman won everything with his club Bayern Munich, but he sees the Portuguese crowned. A heartbreak for the latter, who recently still speaks of a feeling of “injustice”.
Therefore, the suspicion of Karim Benzema, the prestigious trophy that often played tricks on the French, as in 2018, where Luka Modric won against several world champions (Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane). Again last year, Lionel Messi was crowned in front of pole position Robert Lewandowski, who is considered the favorite in the version. Despite the format modification, the Golden Ball is not even close to controversy over its winner.
