The Ballon d’Or gala evening France Soccer takes place at the Théâtre du Chatelet, in Paris. A ceremony during which will be distributed the Kopa trophy (best player under 21), the new Socrates prize, celebrating the footballers most committed to societal and charitable projects, the Gerd-Müller trophies (top scorer) and Lev -Yachine (best goalkeeper). And of course the women’s and men’s Golden Balls awarded by France Soccer and his jury.
Women’s Golden Ball: Alexia Putellas
We were expecting an Englishwoman, after England’s Women’s Euro title, it was finally Alexia Putellas, 28, who won the Women’s Golden Ball for the second consecutive year. The striker and captain of FC Barcelona did not however play the Women’s Euro, package due to injury. It is her sumptuous season with the Blaugrana which is rewarded, with a seventh title of champion of Spain: Alexia Putellas has been crowned in the Women’s Liga of the Catalan club since 2012.
Lev Yachine Trophy: Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois wins the Lev-Yachine trophy for best goalkeeper of the year. Impassable in the Champions League final against Liverpool (nine stops), he is one of the key men in the coronation of Real Madrid, European champion and Spanish champion this season. The Belgian goalkeeper, 30, succeeds Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trophy Gerd Muller: Robert Lewandowski
Top scorer in the Bundesliga for his last season with Bayern Munich, already 14 goals in his new colors, FC Barcelona: the Pole Robert Lewandowski receives the Gerd-Müller trophy 2022 for the best striker. Quite a symbol for the one who rightly broke the record held by Gerd Müller since 1972, by scoring 41 goals in 29 games – one better than the legend of German football. In 2020, the Ballon d’Or seemed promised to Robert Lewandowski, but the reward had not been awarded, due to the Covid crisis and stopped football. In 2021, again in the list of favorites, he had to let Leo Messi leave with the trophy.
Raymond Kopa Trophy: Gavi
Returning to Gavi, 18, the Raymond-Kopa 2022 trophy rewards the career of a midfielder used to being outclassed and playing in the age group above. The Spaniard who started in the first team of FC Barcelona shortly before his 17th birthday already has 12 caps with La Roja. He is even the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Spanish team, at 17 years and 304 days. Since 2018, the Raymond-Kopa trophy has been awarded to the world’s best hope under the age of 21.
Socrates Prize: Sadio Mané
By receiving the Socrates prize, the Senegalese striker Sadio Mané, 30, is rewarded for his commitment off the field, and in particular for the action he leads for his home village in Casamance, Bambali. After a full season – CAN victory with Senegal, Champions League finalist and a vice-champion of England with Liverpool – Sadio Mané joined Bayern Munich. For the first time this year, the Socrates Prize salutes the footballers most involved in societal and charitable projects. It is named after former Brazilian international Socrates, who passed away in 2011.
Best Club of the Year: Manchester City
It is the only collective prize of an evening that salutes individuality: Manchester City FC receives the trophy for the best club in 2022. A reward for a 2021-2022 season which saw the Cityzens win their fourth title of champions of England in five seasons, after a thrilling duel with Liverpool.