It has been twenty-four years since a French footballer, namely Zinedine Zidane, won a Ballon d’Or. On Wednesday, October 17, Karim Benzema was named best player in the world, and won the most prestigious individual award, just ahead of Senegal’s Sadio Mané.
By Merieme Alaoui, Paris
Real Madrid and France forward, Karim Benzema, unsurprisingly, was awarded the Ballon d’Or, at a ceremony rich in emotions held on Wednesday, October 17, in Paris. This reward draw unanimity from the soccer planet, and well beyond. Karim Benzema received from his mentor and former coach, Zinedine Zidane, the most outstanding individual trophy in soccer, becoming the fifth Frenchman to win a Ballon d’Or.
“It makes me really proud. I think back to when I was little. All the work I did, I never gave up. It was a childhood dream like all kids [have],” said Karim Benzema. Inspiring words, pronounced during a ceremony watched by one hundred and thirty million viewers around the world.
“It’s just determination, hard work, and desire. I train a lot harder than others”
“There was a difficult period where I wasn’t in the French team. But, thanks to my family and my coach (Zidane), I did not give up, » insisted the striker. « It is an individual award but soccer is a collective sport. So, for me, this Ballon d’Or is the people’s award, » the captain of one of the best European teams further said. With a thick beard, thin golden glasses and a tuxedo inspired by the American rapper Tupac, the man nicknamed KB9 has had an impressive season. Winner and architect of a fifth Champions League for Real Madrid, he, by his technical level and his altruism on the pitch, cruised through all the major European competitions.
Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, Karim Benzema is the seventh of nine children. He joined the training center of the Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at the age of 10. He became a professional when he came of age and won numerous trophies (French Championship, French Cup and the Champions Trophy). In 2009, he joined the mythical Real Madrid, for thirty-five million euros, alongside the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he quickly formed a solid pair. In this club, he stretches his wings, thanks to the support of another Frenchman, a certain Zinedine Zidane, his coach for several seasons, and his model.
At the age of 34, Karim Benzema is on the top of the world of soccer. A success all the more to be welcomed because players of his age are often considered at the end of their career. « I think there is no age, we see more and more players after thirty who still rise level. It’s just determination, hard work, and desire. I train a lot more than the others for example. After I turned 30, it gave me motivation, I had much more ambition than before. »
Sadio Mané: « I know I won the AFCON. But I sincerely think that Karim deserves it »
This Ballon d’Or is also in a way a win for Africa. French-Algerian, Karim Benzema has always been proud of his dual culture. His nomination has prompted all Africa to react through heated messages on social media. In second place was Senegalese Sadio Mané, the first African player on the podium since George Weah in 1995.
A week before the ceremony, Sadio Mané, interviewed by Canal Plus, had not hesitated to give his predictions: « Karim deserves to win, he had a great season, a great season with Real. He won the Champions League; he deserves it and I am happy for him (…). With the Senegalese team, I won the AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) and it was a great relief for me and my country. But I sincerely think that Karim deserves it.
For his part, soccer legend, Zinedine Zidane, happy for his former player to whom he is very close, reiterated his emotion on Instagram. « I saw you work a lot so that your game progresses and you become what you are. You’ve always been looking to improve. Today, this trophy is a reward for that work and for an amazing year. I hope you will continue to delight us at Real and during this World Cup with the French Team ». A nice way to publicly put forward the next goal of his protégé, the World Cup that kicks off in a few weeks in Qatar.
