The Real Madrid star is the clear favourite to win the award for the first time ahead of Monday's ceremony in Paris
After so many years playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid's attack, Karim Benzema has solidified his own legend in recent times. Indeed, over the past year, the France forward has been a living, breathing highlight reel.
Benzema has treated us to a glut of GIF-able moments, often on the grandest stage, positioning himself as the undisputed favourite to clinch his first ever Ballon d'Or on Monday.
It is only a matter of hours until he gets his hands on the trophy, and here are a few of the reasons why we are so sure that 'King Karim' deserves to be crowned the best player in the world…
GettyGoals, goals and more goals!
A key ingredient of any Ballon d'Or-winning campaign is ridiculous numbers – and Benzema's are outstanding.
Last season, the Frenchman managed a frankly absurd 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 club appearances. Those goal involvements were spread nicely throughout the campaign too, giving Benzema a strong case for being Europe's best striker in 2022.
AdvertisementBenzema 3-1 PSG
Benzema has bailed Madrid out of jail many times in recent years, but perhaps his greatest act of escapology came against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last season.
A goal down from the first leg and also a goal behind on the night, it look like Los Blancos would be crashing out of Europe at the last-16 stage. However, Benzema had other ideas.
With little over half an hour left to play, he turned in Vinicius Junior's cutback and, 15 minutes later, he levelled up the scores on aggregate with a deflected finish following great work from Luka Modric.
He wasn't done there either. Before we had time to catch our breath, Marquinhos cleared a ball right into Benzema's path – and it was only ever going to end up in the back of the net.
A true leader's performance.
The king of Stamford Bridge
After single-handedly dragging Real into the Champions League quarter-finals, Benzema was in the mood to turn heads again at Stamford Bridge.
It did not take long for the fireworks to start, with the Frenchman meeting Vinicius Junior's cross with a bullet header that shot past Edouard Mendy at the front post.
Benzema nodded home another stunner a few minutes later, powering Luka Modric's deep cross back where it came from to leave the Chelsea keeper with no chance.
Mendy could have prevented Benzema's hat-trick strike, though, with the Senegal international under-hitting a pass and presenting him with the simplest of chances.
Outsmarting Ederson at the Etihad
A Panenka? In the Champions League semi-final? Against Ederson? Yes, this really did happen!
Benzema's outrageous spot-kick put the perfect seal on a Champions League classic, cutting Man City's lead to just one heading into the second leg.
It took guts too, with Benzema having already missed four penalties during the 2021-22 campaign.
The psychological blow this dealt City for the return game was vital, as it meant Benzema & Co. fully believed that they could turn the tie around back at the Bernabeu.