Real Madrid News
Official: Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or
While Lionel Messi shocked the footballing world by marginally beating Robert Lewandowski for the Ballon d’Or title last year, the Argentine’s hegemony is about to come to an end as Karim Benzema has been crowned as the Ballon d’Or winner this year.
KARIM BENZEMA IS THE 2022 BALLON D’OR! ✨@Benzema@realmadrid#ballondor pic.twitter.com/TXLkHJIhJM
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
The Real Madrid forward beats Lewandowski to win the 2022 edition of the prestigious award, becoming only the second player after teammate Luka Modric to win the trophy since 2010.
Benzema’s triumph comes in the aftermath of an excellent 2021/22 campaign that saw him bag 44 goals in all competitions. 15 of his goals came in the UEFA Champions League, as he helped Real Madrid secure the coveted trophy for a record 14th time.
Benzema’s 27 goals were also crucial in helping Los Blancos clinch the title from the hands of cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid.
The Frenchman’s success also represents Real Madrid’s successful transition following the departure of old guards such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
The way the attacker has stepped up to the plate in recent years has been critical in helping the club go through this transitional phase.
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
