Karim Benzema owns 'the most complex watch in history' and wore it at the Ballon d'Or ceremony

Karim Benzema wore a Richard Mille RM 65-01 watch at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony - described as the brand's 'most complex' timepiece.

The Real Madrid striker won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career after scoring 44 goals in 46 games last season.

Benzema helped Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League glory, with 15 goals in the latter, making him the competition's top scorer.

He arrived suited and booted at the Theatre du Chatelet sporting the expensive watch on his wrist.

The RM 65-01 is worth around £435,000, which is more than the base salary of every footballer in the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo's wage at Manchester United is £360,000 for context.

It's believed the watch took five years of testing before being released on the market.

An official description of the watch reads: "The culmination of some five years of development, this automatic split-seconds chronograph is the most complex timepiece ever to leave the Richard Mille workshops.

"This model fully embodies the brand's technical approach thanks to the combination of several additional functions, a very specific architecture and an extremely high-end aesthetic.

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"All in all, a fabulous challenge of mechanical watchmaking that called for patience, technicity and utter perseverance."

Benzema joined Real in 2009, the same year Ronaldo sealed a then world record £80 million transfer from United.

He was very much a supporting act to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for nine years, although he was still a quality player.

Ronaldo's departure for Juventus in 2018 opened a door of opportunity at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Many expected a lucrative new signing to step up to the plate. Little did everyone know, Benzema had waited almost his whole professional career for this moment.

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He lead the line with authority and by example on the pitch, even being named captain following Sergio Ramos' exit in 2021.

The 34-year-old explained in his speech: "This prize in front of me makes me really proud. When I was small, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up... Anything is possible."

Benzema has helped Real to the top of La Liga once again this season. He scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Elche to maintain a three-point gap over bitter rivals Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti's side return to action against Sevilla on Saturday evening.