Following some incredible performances from a couple of players in recent weeks, the 2022 Ballon d'Or award has begun to acquire traction. This year's award will be presented in October.
Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder for Manchester City, has already made his choice for the prized award this year. Karim Benzema of Real Madrid is the man in question.
Since coming fourth in the Ballon d'Or competition last year, the Frenchman's stock has risen dramatically.
Karim Benzema has 39 goals and 13 assists for Los Blancos in all competitions so far this season. Along with Robert Lewandowski, Gundogan believes the 34-year-old is the best striker in the world right now.
"Right now, Benzema, together with [Robert] Lewandowski, is the best striker in the world," the German told RT1 (via Eurosport).
"He's skilled on both feet and in the air...
I believe he was previously underappreciated, and now he is proving his detractors wrong."
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in the summer of 2018, Karim Benzema has been the team's captain. Many have claimed that the Frenchman was playing in the shadow of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner during their time together at Madrid.
Gundogan thinks the same way. Benzema, according to the Manchester City midfielder, is now getting the praise he deserves, especially from the media. The striker has done enough, according to the German, to be named the best player in the world this year.
"For a long time, he was in Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow, especially in the press," the former Borussia Dortmund player observed, "but now he's getting the recognition and respect he deserves.""
"His accomplishments are self-evident. Benzema possesses all of the necessary qualities to win the Ballon d'Or."
Who else could challenge Benzema for the Ballon d'Or in 2022?
As things stand, Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich is the closest competitor to Benzema in the Ballon d'Or race. So far this season, the Polish attacker has scored the most goals in all competitions, with a total of 48 goals in 43 games.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool isn't far behind, with 30 goals and 13 assists in as many appearances for the Reds. In recent months, players like Kylian Mbappe, Kevin De Bruyne, and Sadio Mane have also impressed. They'll be salivating at the prospect of winning football's most coveted individual award.
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