Karim Benzema is the early favorite to win the Ballon d'Or in 2022, according to most football fans. The Real Madrid striker has been in a league of his own this season, and Carlo Ancelotti's side would be having a very different season if he hadn't contributed.
Karim Benzema has never won the Ballon d'Or. In the 2021 Ballon d'Or race, he finished fourth. He has never won the most prestigious individual award in football. However, this could be Benzema's year. The French striker has been in excellent form and has consistently surprised us with his performances.
Benzema has already performed several rescue acts for Real Madrid this season, and he has played some of his best football of his career.
However, nothing is certain because there are numerous individuals other than Benzema who are performing admirably.
Without further ado, here are five players who could unseat Karim Benzema as Ballon d'Or winner in 2022.
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool) is ranked fifth.
Sadio Mane is having an outstanding season. The Liverpool forward had a disappointing season in 2020-21, and it appeared that he had passed his prime. Mane, on the other hand, has taken it upon himself to prove his detractors wrong this time.
He was a member of the Senegalese national team that won the AFCON earlier this year. Mane also helped Liverpool win the League Cup. Jurgen Klopp's team has had another outstanding season, reaching the FA Cup final as well as the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
They are also heavily involved in the Premier League title race right now. Mane has scored 19 goals and provided three assists in 43 appearances for the Merseysiders across all competitions.
If he can win all of the available trophies, Mane will be one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City) is ranked fourth.
This season, Kevin De Bruyne has been arguably Manchester City's best player. To stand out among all of Pep Guardiola's world-class talents is an accomplishment in and of itself. De Bruyne is not only one of the world's most creative midfielders, but he also serves as a goal-scoring outlet.
With five games remaining in the season, Manchester City currently leads the Premier League table. On Tuesday night, De Bruyne scored a goal and assisted another as City defeated Real Madrid 4-3 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie (26 April).
If De Bruyne can lead his team to victory in the Premier League and the Champions League, he will be a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or this year. De Bruyne has 15 goals and 12 assists in 40 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions.
3rd: Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern München)
Robert Lewandowski was unlucky to miss out on the 2020 Ballon d'Or, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He performed admirably last year as well, but finished second to Lionel Messi.
Bayern Munich's exit from the Champions League quarter-finals against Villarreal will undoubtedly have an impact on Lewandowski's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. They have, however, cruised to yet another Bundesliga title, and the Poland international's statistics are exceptional.
So far this season, the 33-year-old has scored 48 goals and provided six assists in 43 appearances for the Bavarians across all competitions.
Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain) is ranked second.
At the individual level, Kylian Mbappe has had another spectacular season. However, we have the impression that winning the Ligue 1 title alone is becoming a little too stale for a player of Kylian Mbappe's caliber.
This season, he has been by far Paris Saint-standout Germain's performer. Mbappe has 33 goals and 22 assists in 42 appearances for PSG this season across all competitions.
The 23-year-old is expected to leave the French champions this summer. He will also be one of the players to watch at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
If Mbappe can maintain this rich vein of form, he'll put himself ahead of the pack in the race for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) No. 1
Mohamed Salah has been outstanding for Liverpool this season. Down the right wing, the Egyptian international has been outstanding for Jurgen Klopp's side. His blistering pace, close control, and decision-making in the final third have helped Liverpool become one of Europe's most intimidating attacking units.
Salah has been prolific in front of goal and has come through when his team needed him the most. Salah has 30 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances for Liverpool this season across all competitions.
If Liverpool goes on to win more trophies, Salah could easily become the frontrunner for this year's Ballon d'Or. Even without the trophies, Salah is expected to give Benzema a run for his money in the Ballon d'Or race in 2022.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0