“At the top of football”, “In the legend” … The French and foreign press hail the coronation of Karim Benzema

His name is in all the titles, all the columns. Sacred Ballon d’Or 2022 in Paris on Monday evening, Karim Benzema monopolizes, Tuesday, October 18, the attention of the national, regional and international press. The French newspapers return to the moment of history experienced at the Théâtre du Châtelet, 24 years after the last tricolor winner. In Spain, we pay tribute to the Madrid legend who brings the trophy back to the Merengues.

“The Ball at Home” title The Team, in a photo of Karim Benzema kissing the trophy. The daily insists on the symbol of the awarding of the prize by Zinedine Zidane, the last French winner 24 years ago. On stage after receiving his trophy, Benzema was full of praise for the 1998 champion, one of his two childhood idols. A perfect picture of “gold as a legacy” between a former and a current tricolor glory of Real Madrid. The prize rewards “rare talent, aesthetics and transformation, as well as a remarkable attitude on the pitch”.

The Parisian highlights “the most beautiful evening of his life”. Dedicated to the Théâtre du Châtelet, in the heart of Paris, in front of his relatives, Karim Benzema lived an evening full of emotions. “Karim Benzema enters the pantheon of football”claims on his side The Dauphine Liberewhereas Progresstitle of the regional press of Lyon, from which Benzema comes, title: “In Legend”. Monday evening, Ballon d’Or in his hands, the native of Bron did not fail to mention the formation of Olympique Lyonnais and to thank its former president, Jean-Michel Aulas. “Finally, Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or”note South West, like a relief. At 34, the French international is the oldest winner since 1956.

In Spain, where he plays, Karim Benzema is widely acclaimed by the press. He is “at the top of football”note Mark, which highlights the Madrilenian and Alexia Putellas, a duo “of justice and gold”. “The king [en français dans le texte] Benzema” bring one “Balloon of White Gold” in Madrid, welcomes thee Madrid sports daily. “The Ballon d’Or is the trophy that has generated the most debate in recent seasons, and Karim Benzema won it without any discussion,” rent the title.

“Our congratulations can be summed up in one line: it’s 100% deserved”writes AS, another sports daily in Madrid, which pays tribute to a coronation “gold-plated”: “the crowning of the Frenchman in the greatest individual distinction in football tells the evolution of a player long misunderstood […] The king of debates is now the king of football.” The Frenchman even invites himself into the columns of the general press. “The throne of the Ballon d’Or is for Karim Benzema”notes El Pais, a major national daily.

On the other side of the Channel, the Guardian lingers on “the beautiful ovation of the crowd” at the announcement of the big winner, and looks back on the statistically impressive season of the French striker, especially his 10 goals in the final phase of C1. On its website, BBC Sports congratulate him “great favourite” for his trophy which suffers no dispute. The English tabloids also return to the golden year of the Frenchman, like the Sun who title “Top Benz”.

In Italy, the Corriere dello Sport mention the “Benzema’s triumph over Mané and De Bruyne”. The Gazzetta dello Sport retains for its part the abnegation of the French player during his career by highlighting part of his speech, “I never gave up”. In Germany, Die Welt salutes the excellent season of the French striker, while a Bayern Munich player [Sadio Mané] once again finished in second place: “This time there was no doubt about the winner because Benzema had a great season. He was Real Madrid’s strongman on the way to Champions League triumph.”


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