Karim Benzema, a seasoned striker for Real Madrid, is now the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
This is due to a change in Ballon d’Or rules in 2022, which will award the honor to the best player during a football season rather of a calendar year.
And while Benzema may be the first player to benefit from this rule, he is far from the only one.
The winner of this season’s award will be announced in October, and the winner is likely to be determined by this year’s Champions League.
Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich is also among the leading contenders for the prize.
L’Equipe reports that Benzema is the main favourite to claim the individual award for 2022 due to his hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea.
Other exploits of the Frenchman include his 24 strikes in the LaLiga, his UEFA Nations League success with France in October and his five goals with the French national team since September.
Apart from Lewandowski, Liverpool ace, Sadio Mane, who won the Africa Cup of Nations this winter with Senegal and also helped the country qualify for the World Cup in Qatar could also be handed the award if the Reds win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappe of PSG and France could also be handed the award despite his club’s failure in the Champions League.