Featured Image Credit: Ballon d'Or
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Gavi, Karim Benzema, La Liga, El Clasico, El Classico,
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Gavi, Karim Benzema, La Liga, El Clasico, El Classico,
Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, to the delight of many, but clearly Gavi wasn't too impressed, following their run in during El Clasico.
Benzema was crowned as the world's best men's player at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with Barcelona's Alexia Putellas picking up the women's award.
It didn't come as a surprise to anyone that the Real Madrid star became the latest to win the golden ball, and first Frenchman in 24 years, after being instrumental in his side being crowned European champions for a 13th time.
Advert
Certainly Zinedine Zidane was absolutely ecstatic for his fellow countryman, the first since he won it in 1998, being crowned champion, and couldn't stop smiling as he got to announce it.
Whilst Zidane and all his Real teammates were really happy to see Benzema given his flowers, the same couldn't be said of the Kopa Trophy winner.
Barcelona star Gavi was named the best young player in the world, although many fans thought that Jude Bellingham should have won, but it came a day after he had been given a lesson by Benzema.
Advert
The 34-year-old was seen 'slapping' the teenage midfielder during Sunday's Clasico, which the Spanish champions won 3-1, and Gavi could be seen given a rather salty look after the Ballon d'Or winner was announced.
The 18-year-old was the second Barca midfielder in-a-row to come away with the Kepa Trophy, after Pedri won it in 2021, and it really was a great night for Spain's two biggest clubs.
As well as the young and women's awards, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski came away with the Gerd Muller trophy, for top goalscorer.
Advert
The Polish forward did score all those goals with Bayern Munich, and his country, but it still would have been cause for celebration at the Nou Camp.
Real were also celebrating the Yashin Award with Thibaut Courtois, whose performance in the Champions League final vs Liverpool alone would have been enough to be named the best goalkeeper in the world.
However, neither managed to come away with the award for Club of the Year, with that going to Manchester City, despite Pep Guardiola's side only winning the Premier League last season.
Los Blancos actually came third, with Liverpool, the team they beat in Paris, coming second after their FA Cup and Carabao Cup success.
"Seeing this award in front of me makes me really proud of the work I have done," Benzema said in his speech after being announced as the winner.
Advert
"It was childhood dream, to have the motivation... I had two role models Zidane and Ronaldo and always I had this dream in my mind that anything is possible.
"Really proud of my journey here. It wasn't easy it was difficult. To be here today for the first time, I am happy, pleased for my work and want to keep going.
"I want to thank all my team-mates at Real Madrid and France and my coach and the Real Madrid president who is here this evening and also the support of Jean-Michel Aulas [Lyon president].
"There are a lot of people to thank. It is an individual prize but still a collective one because of everyone who played a role in it."