Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema has been named 2021/22 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
The 34-year-old, who helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and France win the UEFA Nations League last season, beat out clubmate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
The Frenchman was a deserving winner of the award for a variety of reasons, including his stunning 15-goal haul in the Champions League last season. The forward was instrumental in Los Blancos’ triumphant run, which saw them win the trophy for the 14th time.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid beat Liverpool in last season’s final, with Brazilian star Vinicius Jr scoring the game-winning goal. It was a memorable evening for the La Liga giants, as Ancelotti was also named Men’s Coach of the Year.
Benzema succeeds Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who won the award last season for his outstanding performances on the way to the Blues’ memorable tournament victory in 2021.
I’m really happy,” he said as he collected his award. “It’s the first time I’ve won this trophy but for me the most important thing is to win trophies with the team. Mr Ancelotti is the best coach in the world; he gets it right with every player, he gives us confidence and he tells you what to do before every match.”
Real Madrid knocked Chelsea out of last season’s Champions League and they have also dethroned them in the individual awards, with Ancelotti taking Thomas Tuchel’s title of reigning Coach of the Year.
The top ten
1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid & France) – 523 points
2 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium) – 122 points
3 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid & Belgium) – 118 points
4 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern, now Barcelona & Poland) – 54 points
5 Luka Modrić (Real Madrid & Croatia) – 52 points
6 Sadio Mané (Liverpool, now Bayern & Senegal) – 51 points
7 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt) – 46 points
8 Kylian Mbappé (Paris & France) – 25 points
9 Vinícius Junior (Real Madrid & Brazil) – 21 points
10 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands) – 19 points
Other 2021/22 award winners
Women’s Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas
Men’s Coach of the Year: Carlo Ancelotti
Women’s Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman
President’s Award: Arrigo Sacchi
