Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is set to be crowned Ballon d’Or winner during Monday night’s ceremony in Paris.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won 12 of the last 13 Ballons d'Or, dominating the male side of the sport since 2008. Luka Modric is the sole outlier, claiming the award in 2018, and it's expected that another Madrid star will break the duopoly this time around.
Benzema is set to be crowned as the champion having narrowly missed out on a place on the podium in last year’s ceremony, when Messi pipped Robert Lewandowski to the crown with Chelsea midfielder and Italy international Jorginho ranking third.
Benzema had been the odds-on favourite thanks to a sensational 21-22 campaign - headlined by a Champions League triumph, with his remarkable performances seeing his side oust Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool on their way to winning the competition.
It is set to be a strong night for La Liga with Benzema’s Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois poised to win the Yashin Trophy, the award which recognises the best goalkeeper of last season. The Kopa trophy – the award for the best young player in world football, named in tribute to French icon Raymond – is set to go to Barcelona midfielder Gavi, one year after his teammate Pedri scooped the gong.
The details of the winners has been outlined by Marca, with each award winner named although the breakdown of the votes and rankings of other players are not listed. Lewandowski – who finished second in last year’s award – was another strong candidate this time round.
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Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane, who switched Liverpool for Bayern Munich this summer, were also in contention. Mane was instrumental in Senegal’s African Cup of Nations victory and helped the team to secure a World Cup spot.
Neither Messi nor Ronaldo were strong contenders to win this year’s top prizes following a drop off in form at club level. Argentine superstar Messi struggled to replicate his Barcelona form during his first season at PSG, while Ronaldo’s own returns have dipped at Manchester United – whom he rejoined last summer after 12 years away.
Messi - who controversially pipped Lewandowski in the voting last year to win a record seventh golden ball - hasn't even been nominated for the 2022 award. Meanwhile, Alexia Putellas of Barcelona Femeni - who agonisingly missed this summer's European Championships through injury - is set to win the women's award.
