Karim Benzema beats Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah to Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards
Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas added Globe Soccer Awards for Best Men’s and Women’s players for 2022 to their Ballon d’Or honours in Dubai.
The Real Madrid star won his first title, beating Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, while Putellas fought off Arsenal and Lionesses forward Beth Mead to claim her second consecutive title.
Salah was not left empty handed, though, and took home the award for Fans Player of the Year, with the honour given based on viewers’ votes throughout the evening.
‘You guys put more pressure on me now,’ the Liverpool forward said as he received his award on stage. ‘I think it’s always great, the most important part of football is the fans, so to win the award voted by fans is something I’m grateful for.’
‘Too much [attention on breaking records], honestly. I’m always focused to help the team to win games and trophies, that’s the most important thing.
‘But somehow also I keep looking for that, because it’s something that motivates me all the time, and makes me want to give more.’
This season the Egyptian forward broke the record for the fastest Champions League hat-trick, as well as becoming Liverpool’s eighth-highest goalscorer with 170 in 275 appearances for the Reds.
But it was Real Madrid who had the best year, winning Best Men’s Club after their Champions League-winning heroics in Paris earlier this year, as well as a Best Coach of the Year victory for Carlo Ancelotti, at the expense of Pep Guardiola.
And captain Benzema received his maiden honour after a fantastic individual season that saw him net a stunning 15 goals in 12 games as Los Blancos sealed their 14th Champions League title in style.
There were also awards for Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Best Career category, despite the latter still yet to hang up his boots – something he was quick to mention on stage.
‘The career is not finished, I have still to go,’ he said. ‘A player’s career is not based on the individual, but all the people that are involved in this, I want to thank them.’
And Real Madrid and Spain legend Ramos was honoured with the Best Defender of All-Time award in Dubai, something that he described as ‘incredible’, with a World Cup, two Euros, five LaLigas and four Champions League titles to his name.
‘This represents the work and for the sacrifices during my career,’ Ramos said. ‘Thanks Sevilla, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and the national team.
‘There is still so many challenges to reach.’
