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The year 2022 was probably the most eventful of Karim Benzema’s career. European and Spanish champion with Real Madrid, the Nueve had the joy of being crowned Ballon d’Or last October. Before experiencing a huge hiccup at the World Cup and ending his adventure with the France team. Relive his season with Onze Mondial!
A dream club season
Karim Benzema with the C1 trophyCredit Photo – Icon Sport
2022 necessarily rhymes with success for the Nueve. Despite a disappointing Euro from the France team, the Real Madrid striker comes out of a great competition from an individual point of view with four goals scored. He therefore started the season with a bang with the Merengue, establishing himself more than ever as the spearhead of the team. Very often captain when Marcelo is now on the bench, he will literally take his club to the top. With 27 goals in 32 La Liga games and 15 goals in 12 Champions League games, he allows Real Madrid to be both Spanish champions but also to win their 14th Cup with big ears.
From his C1 campaign, we will necessarily remember his two hat-tricks scored in the round of 16 second leg against PSG (3-1) and in the quarter-final first leg against Chelsea (3-1). His other goals against the Blues and Manchester City will also be etched in the memory of Madrid fans. All this accompanied by a victory in the Spanish Super Cup against Barça (3-2), where he was still decisive, scoring the second Merengue goal, and you got a perfect club season.
Which pushes him to receive the ultimate consecration on October 17th. At the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Benzema is crowned Ballon d’Or in front of his relatives. Subsequently, he will repeat several times to be the People’s Golden Ball. Adulated in France, especially in the Lyon region, he presented the trophy to the public at Groupama Stadium during the match between OL and Nice. His priority is now clear to end the year in style: to seek the world title with the France team.
The quack of the World Cup
Karim Benzema during training with the Blues in DohaCredit Photo – Icon Sport
If his state of health raises many uncertainties, KB9 is indeed retained by Didier Deschamps on November 9. Training on the sidelines of the group during the first sessions, he finally returned to training with his teammates three days before the first match against Australia (November 19). But the Blues striker will unfortunately injure his quadriceps and will have to forfeit in stride. The conditions of this package are still unclear, between return poorly accepted by some executives and new tensions with his coach. But one thing is certain, Benzema has a stubborn resentment. Multiplying enigmatic messages on social networks, he announced his international retirement the day after the defeat of the Blues in the final against Argentina, making this year 2022 a little less perfect than expected.
L’horizon 2023
Karim BenzemaCredit Photo – Icon Sport
Withdrawing therefore from the selection, the native of Lyon will once again be able to devote himself fully to his club and to the defense of the titles of champions of Spain and Europe of Real Madrid. Before all this, the captain of the White House will have to regain full possession of his means, he who has chained the ends of matches for several weeks. Keeping his Ballon d’Or will also be a mission, even if his absence from the World Cup and the coronation of Lionel Messi make things very complicated. But if Karim Benzema is well known for one thing, it’s that he never backs down from the biggest challenges. He will still have to keep this state of mind in 2023 if he wants to repeat his exceptional year 2022!
to summarize
Relive the eventful year 2022 of Karim Benzema, who will have experienced everything during this season between the Ballon d’Or and international retirement! A look back at the (almost) perfect season of the Real Madrid striker.
