Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas, outstanding favorites for the Ballon d'Or

MADRID, 16 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and FC Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas are the most prominent candidates to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or, the first to take into account the season and not the calendar year, in the men's and women's categories, after an immaculate year for the French player, lifting the League and Champions League, while the Catalan, currently seriously injured, chooses to repeat the prestigious award.

After 14 years of dominance by Leo Messi, with seven, and Cristiano Ronaldo, with five, only interrupted by Luka Modric, the 2022 Ballon d'Or starts with a great favorite who outshines the rest of the candidates after completing a 2021-2022 season almost perfect. Benzema seems to have convinced everyone to be able to lift the prestigious award and be the first to start a new stage in world football, with the two stars already out of the pools.

The French striker completed his best season last year since wearing the Real Madrid shirt. In terms of titles, he lifted LaLiga Santander, the Champions League -the fourteenth for the Madrid club- and the Spanish Super Cup. Also, on an individual level, his numbers cannot be compared to anyone else; the madridista '9' ended last season with 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games, being essential for the aspirations and achievements of his team.

The striker has moved away from the social convention historically associated with a '9' and its inseparable connection with the goal. In addition to that, the Frenchman brought football, game, character and leadership to a team with a lot of young talent, but without a clear reference. A role that Karim Benzema assumed, with stripes and without fear, who this year has already been awarded as Top Scorer in the League, top scorer in the Champions League (15 goals), Best Player in the Champions League, with the Best goal of the European competition and UEFA Player of the Year.

Among the three players with options to fight for the prize are two of the French teammates, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Vinicius Júnior. The Belgian was also key in Real Madrid's double and received the 'MVP' of the Champions League final against Liverpool for his stellar performance. The goalkeeper completed 61 saves in the competition and kept a clean sheet five times.

The Brazilian was Benzema's squire last year and played 52 games throughout the season, scoring 22 goals and providing 20 assists. Also among the candidates are Belgian Manchester City footballer Kevin de Bruyne, chosen as the best player in the Premier; the Norwegian Erling Haaland, also a 'citizen', or the Senegalese from Bayern Sadio Mané, who was the attacker who shone the most at Liverpool last season. In the final list there is Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), although without options, while Leo Messi (PSG) will not be eligible for his eighth prize.

In the women's category, Alexia Putellas, current Ballon d'Or and 'The Best', will try to repeat her achievement and become, together with the Danish Pernille Harder, the only one to win the award twice. The Catalan missed the European Championship in England due to her serious knee injury prior to the tournament. However, with the Champions as the only 'thorn' in the collective, she completed a brilliant season at an individual level, with 34 goals in 40 games.

Her rivals for the award are Arsenal's English striker Beth Mead, chosen as the best player of the last EURO, in which she lifted the trophy with England, young German midfielder Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), and Olympique Lyon player Ada Hegerberg , which already won the trophy in 2019.

In addition, this Monday the Yashin Trophy will also be awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world. Courtois seems the most outstanding of a list that also includes Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bono, Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (City), Mike Maignan (Milan), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht), Jan Oblak (Atlético) and Hugo Lloris (Tottenham).

Finally, the winner of the Kopa Trophy for the best footballer under 21 in the world will also be announced. Among the ten nominees there is only one Spaniard, Gavi (FC Barcelona), with the French Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) completing the representation of LaLiga Santander. Among the top favorites are also the British from Borussia Dortmund Jude Bellingham and the Bayern players Ryan Gravenberch and Jamal Musiala.