Kevin De Bruyne makes Man City history in Ballon d'Or 2022 vote as Karim Benzema wins

Kevin De Bruyne has become the first player in the history of Manchester City to be named one of the top three players in the world.

De Bruyne, 31, was voted into the final three in the prestigious Ballon D'Or Award for 2022, beating off a host of top players and coming in behind just Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane. The Belgian was recognised for spearheading City's drive to the semi-finals of the Champions League, when they led by two goals going into the 180th minute of their tie against Real Madrid only to sensationally lose the game and suffer more heartbreak in the competition.

“As a player I think you can reflect on what you did in your career. It is not something I look at right now," said De Bruyne. "But when you finish your career, you can see what you have done as a player in your career for your club, for your country and individually.

"There is only one player every year that can win the Ballon D’or out of millions and millions of people, so to be in that list of top 30 for a long time now, it is something I already appreciate.”

Seven players were nominated across three categories for City, with Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Lucy Bronze, and Ederson all recognised. Ederson was in the category for the best goalkeeper and came third in that behind

City won Club of the Year for having more players nominated than anybody else. The prize was introduced last year to reflect collective success, and was won for the first time by Chelsea.