France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has walked away with this year’s Ballon d’Or award as he pipped Senegal and Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane.
Benzema has since dedicated his accolade to the people, saying he always had the ambition to win big things with Madrid.
The French football icon, Benzema, was handed the award on Monday and dedicated his trophy “to the people” adding that it is an honour to win the prestigious accolade.
“Winning this trophy was always in the back of my mind but what has changed since I turned 30 is ambition,” Benzema said.
https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1582128405465559040
“Ambition really entered my head after that. Ambition means working harder and being a leader for my team and I am lucky to play for Madrid, the best club in the world.
“When I was 21, or 22, I didn’t have the same ambition I have today. I have been through difficult moments, where I wasn’t playing for the national team and so was alone at Valdebebas (Real’s training ground) because everyone else was away playing for their countries.
“I am very happy and very proud of the work I have put in.”
Taking a look at his contribution to the reigning European champions, Benzema was rewarded for scoring 44 goals in 46 games last season as Madrid won the Champions League and LaLiga.
Benzema pipped Mane to the prize, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne completing the podium and Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona coming fourth.
Speaking about the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar that will be staged between November and December, he said he remains ambitious.
“I am still ambitious. I would like to go to the World Cup with France,” he said.
“There are things that are still left to be done. I hope to be in the squad for Qatar, to go to the World Cup, and do everything to win it.”
Main Image: Karim Benzema/Twitter
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