Kareem Benzema has won Ballon D’or for the first in his career after 12 nominations.
Benzema became the fifth Frenchman to win the men’s Ballon D’or award of the year.
He was presented with the award for best player of the year on Monday night in Paris after a stellar performance last season with Real Madrid.
He fought off competition from Bayern Munich Sadio Mane and Manchester City Kevin De Bruyne to win the award.
Benzema stated that winning the award has been his childhood dream.
“This is a childhood dream. My journey was not easy. It was difficult for me and my family. To be here today for the first time, I am happy with my work. I will keep going”, he said.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona star, Alexia Putellas won her second consecutive female Ballon D’or award of the year.
Sadio Mane became the first player in history to win an inaugural Socrates Award. The award was given to him for his humanitarian services done for his home country, Senegal.
See list of the complete winners of the awards:
Kopa Trophy (Best U21 player of the year)
Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi)
Female Ballon D’or Award
Alexia Puttelas
Socrates Award (Humanitarian/Social Initiative)
Sadio Mane
Gerd Muller Award (Striker of the year)
Robert Lewandowski
Yashin Trophy ( Goalkeeper of the year)
Thibaut Courtois
Male Ballon D’or Award
Kareem Benzema
