Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane both claim individual accolades for their role both on the pitch and off the pitch for the past football year. The Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, while the Bayern Munich and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane became the first-ever recipient of the Socrates Award. Benzema, 34 became the oldest footballer to win the Ballon d'Or for the first after his 44-goal season fired Real Madrid to Champions League and LaLiga double beating the likes of Sadio Mane, who came in second and Kevin De Bruyne third.
30-year-old Sadio Mane has who been described by a cross-section of fans as "a man with a golden heart" became the first-ever recipient of the Socrates Award. This follows the work he has already done in his home country Senegal. This includes building a school worth €270,000 and putting up a hospital worth €530,000.
Winners
Ballon d'Or: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Socrates Award: Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich)
Gerd Muller Award: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Yashin Trophy: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Kopa Trophy: Gavi (Barcelona)
Ballon d'Or Feminin: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Club of the Year: Manchester City
Other winners on the night include, Barcelona star Alexia Putellas becoming the first female player to win the Ballon d'Or back-to-back times after clinching the 2022 award. Gavi was awarded the Kopa Trophy - given to the best under-21 player, Thibaut Courtois won the Yashin Trophy following his heroics in goal for Los Blancos last year, Robert Lewandowski, won the Gerd Muller award, given to the best striker of the year, while Manchester City picked up the Club of the Year award given their success both on and off the pitch this year.
