Benzema's praise: "He's my idol, there will never be another like him"
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner dedicated the award to his idol growing up
Karim Benzema became the winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or. Thanks to a campaign in which he was the soul of Real Madrid, converting 27 goals in La Liga and another 15 goals in the Champions League, which allowed los Blancos to be crowned in both competitions, the Frenchman was recognized with the highest individual distinction that a footballer can obtain.
Karim Benzema is the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner
With the award in his hands, Benzema launched an emotional dedication to a footballer who inspired him to be the phenomenal goalscorer he is today: Ronaldo Nazario. "I am very, very happy that Ronaldo is here, he knows he is my idol, for me there is no other striker like him", opened Benzema, speaking of the influence that the goalscorer who shone in the late 1990s and early 2000s had on him. "What he has done is impossible to do again, it is history. He is the only striker who, if he is in my team, I sit on the bench without saying anything", added the Frenchman generating laughter from all present.
Finally, the winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or ended his praise by making it clear what the Brazilian means in football: "Ronaldo is at a level impossible to reach, like Zizou, for me he is history, he is inspiration not only of me, but of all the forwards".
Benzema met Ronaldo during his first days as a Real Madrid player
This is not the first time that Benzema has shown his admiration for the Fenomeno; years ago he had made it clear what the Brazilian meant in his career: "Since I was little, Ronaldo has been my reference, my source of inspiration. I have many tapes with his matches and one with his best plays which I don't lend to anyone. Just by seeing him I learned some of his moves ", he assured.
If Benzema ever imagined receiving the Ballon d'Or, he surely did not expect him to be in such a scenario. The Frenchman was chosen as the best footballer of 2022 with his two childhood idols present. While Zinedine Zidane presented him with the award, Ronaldo Nazario accompanied his walk to the stage with heartfelt applause, as the Brazilian has also made it clear that he really likes the Real Madrid striker.
Benzema was also joined by his former boss and idol Zinedine Zidane
However, unlike O Fenemeno, Karim Benzema made it clear he does not intend to leave the Santiago Bernabeu: "If I feel good, I will continue in football, and if I do not feel good, we will see then. But right now I have two years of contract with Real Madrid". While making it clear he does not intend to hang up his boots yet, the French striker let it be known that he'll walk with the mythical white shirt: "I will retire in Real Madrid. There's no other option for me".
Continue reading: Bad luck for CR7 and Portugal: They'll miss this star at the World Cup
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