Real Madrid star striker, Karim Benzema is expected to win
the 2022 Men’s Ballon d’Or Award after guiding  Real Madrid to the La
Liga, Super Copa de Espana and Champions League treble this season. The results
for the Ballon d’Or Award will be announced on 17th October.

The team also won the UEFA Super Cup on Thursday, defeating
Eintracht Frankfurt, 2-0.  If Benzema wins the award, it will be his
maiden victory.

Also Read: Men’s Ballon d’Or 2022 nominees released: Benzema leads the way while Messi and Neymar miss out

One of the key points to understanding who wins the Ballon
d’Or award is ridiculous numbers. Benzema has been sensational this season with
his goals and assists with a tally of 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances
in all competitions. He notably scored hattricks in the consecutive rounds of
the Champions League, against PSG in the round of 16 and against Chelsea in the
quarterfinals, this season.

He also cemented his place among the Real Madrid greats as
he climbed the ladder of all-time goals scored for the club. Benzema has
now scored 324 goals in 606 appearances in all competitions for the 2021 La
Liga Champions. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the team in all-time goals scored with
450 to his name in 438 appearances.

Also Read: UEFA announces Men’s Player of the Year nominees, Mohammad Salah misses out

Throughout the season, Real Madrid did not perform well
whenever Benzema did not suit up to play. Carlo Ancelotti‘s side won three
of eight games without the forward in the second half of the season. Benzema
was injured and missed Barcelona’s 4-0 defeat in the El Classico. He was also
not with the team when he was eliminated in the Copa Del Rey quarterfinals
against Athletic Club.

In 2022, Benzema won four trophies: the Supercopa, La Liga,
the Champions League, and, most recently, the UEFA Super Cup.

Kylian Mbappe of PSG and Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona (who
played the 2021-22 season with Bayern Munich) are the most likely rivals for
Benzema, but their lack of trophies weakens their case.

Other nominees who have the chance to spoil the French
international’s possibility to win the award are Kevin De Bruyne
(Manchester City), and Sadio Mane (Liverpool).