Karim Benzema spent a glorious year in Real Madrid , becoming the first Frenchman to win the Golden Globe Award since 1998.
The 34-year-old veteran won the award for the first time, leading Bayern Munich Sadio Mane Manchester City core Kevin de Bruin ranks third.
Benzema helped the Blues win the Champions League championship and defeated Liverpool in the final. The player also won his fourth La Liga title, fourth Spanish Super Cup and fourth UEFA Super Cup.
"I feel so proud to see this award right in front of me. It was my childhood dream, all the work I did, I never gave up," he said after winning the 2022 Golden Globes.
"I always thought everything was possible and I never stopped working hard when I was not in France.
"I am very proud of my journey. It wasn't easy, it was a tough time, and it was for my family.
"I am happy for my work for the first time today, and I will continue to move forward."
Robert Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich this summer, ranked fourth. The Poles ranked second in 2021, behind Lionel Messi.
Lewandowski is also a popular candidate for the 2020 French Football Awards. However, the game was cancelled due to the new crown pneumonia epidemic and the forward missed the game.
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah ranked fifth, Paris Saint-Germain striker Killian Mbappe ranked sixth. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland ranked 10th. The Manchester City star started the season well and has scored 20 goals so far.
Benzema scored a career-high 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions in the 2021/22 season. Now, he hopes to end the year in a decent way as he prepares for the World Cup with France.
The last time the Frenchman won the Golden Globe Award was Zidane in 1998. In the same year, the former head coach of Real Madrid also led the Blues to win the World Cup.
Zidane presented the award and praised the winner in an montage video. Real Madrid's current coach Ancelotti and former captain Mourinho also appeared in the video.
Benzema is also the oldest Nobel Prize winner since Stanley Matthews in 1956. The British was the first winner of the award.
