Premier League legends Jamie Carragher and Michah Richards have chosen their picks for the 2022 Ballon d'Or. The duo made their picks following the first leg of the semi-final tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Los Blancos were defeated 4-3 on April 26 by Pep Guardiola's men but Benzema would once again make his mark. It was another night where Karim Benzema was yet again at his goalscoring best as his double kept Real Madrid in the tie against Manchester City.
The Frenchman scored from an impressive Ferland Mendy cross in the first half to bring the game to 2-1 after goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus.
Having missed two penalties against Osasuna in La Liga last week, the legendary forward was then given the opportunity to right his spot-kick failure in the second half. Benzema stepped up and sent an audacious Panenka past Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson for Madrid's third of the night.
Following the game, Jamie Carragher and Michah Richards were asked on CBS Sports who. they believe should win the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
Carragher was adamant that Benzema should win the famous personal award come October. Richards also went for Benzema but only if Real Madrid win the Champions League this year.
If they don't and Manchester City do, Richards picked Kevin De Bruyne to take home the award.
Kevin De Bruyne and Karim Benzema delight in UEFA Champions League epic to stake their claim for 2022 Ballon d'Or
The two European heavyweights fought out a Champions League epic as Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-3 at the City of Manchester Stadium.
De Bruyne was lively all night and laid his imprint on the game from the get-go when he scored a brilliant diving header in just the first minute. He would contribute once again as his clever threaded pass fell to Gabriel Jesus, who gave Pep Guardiola's side a 2-0 lead.
Benzema added to the two hat-tricks he had scored in Real Madrid's prior two knockout ties against PSG and Chelsea.
Both players are now fully in the running for the Ballon d'Or. How their teams fare next Wednesday could go a long way in deciding who picks up the award in October.
Benzema has been in incredible goalscoring form for Los Blancos this season. The talismanic forward has a remarkable 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. He is now the leading goalscorer in this year's Champions League as he has 14 goals in 10 games.
Meanwhile, De Bruyne has been instrumental in his side's pursuit of a European double. City are sitting at the top of the Premier League and in the lead in their Champions League semi-final tie. The 30-year-old has 15 goals and 12 assists in 30 games for City this season.
Yakabcost
1
Did messi won champions league last season before he was given the ballon d or
AdelMahmoud
0
Benzema won't win bcs Madrid can't beat both City and Liverpool in the UCL, They both are world's best 2 teams so without UCL Benzema won't win Ballon'd'or
Fortune teller you are how do you know how will win ucl and even if he doesn’t win ucl he will still be up there
Putbdkmruy
0
No one deserve it more than Mane as it stands
Ikm33
1
do you know how many goals and assist Benzema has when you add kdb goals and assist it doesn't even match up with Benzema scores so why do people compare them put Benzema scores and assist together and put Kdb then see for yourself
Before you talk your nonsense, get to know something. Midfielders will always have low goals to their name. How many touches does Benzema has in a match? How many big chances does he creates? What about key passes? Ball recoveries? Dribbles won? These all things matter before we call someone best player. I respect Benzema, no doubt their but in bigger picture it's KDB who has a greater impact...
wokdilrsu
1
This is something interesting that I discovered about somebody who is called a legend, pundit and master of criticism. He could not even make the first team of palace today. Mr. mouthy if I were you, with this record, I will praise every football player.
baobcdelpz
0
i was knew you won't believe me you can see himself next week at bernebeau then you'll know when everyone will laugh at Benzema
Nobody laughs at a player who performs. Even when Ronaldo scored 2gd goals against Lyon n still got knocked out nobody laughed at him. Benzema is that type of player. It’s better to easily surrender now bc I mind u pep can never win liverpool in finals i mean never . It’ll be better for pep to save tears than another team breaking up his dreams. Anyways we’re not yet done in 2nd leg
RAJANSHARMA
0
Dull fan Ronaldo won it 2013 bc of individual performance, messi 2012 individual performance,messi 2019 individual performance. Ucl final is just a game more than semifinals that doesn’t mean bc of match he has been the best d whole season. Debruyne isn’t even ucl best player nor premier league best player. So just forget. Benzema has 41goals ,13assists already topscorer or ucl n laliga,still will win pichichi,laliga so keep dreaming
i was knew you won't believe me you can see himself next week at bernebeau then you'll know when everyone will laugh at Benzema
baobcdelpz
0
How did Modric get in 2018 de he got the highest Goals??.. He’s own just came as a surprise
Modric won it bc he was wc best player, lucky for him he was in the team that won ucl that yr, that’s why. Everybody knows a yr with worldcup holds 60%
baobcdelpz
1
Benzema won't win bcs Madrid can't beat both City and Liverpool in the UCL, They both are world's best 2 teams so without UCL Benzema won't win Ballon'd'or
Dull fan Ronaldo won it 2013 bc of individual performance, messi 2012 individual performance,messi 2019 individual performance. Ucl final is just a game more than semifinals that doesn’t mean bc of match he has been the best d whole season. Debruyne isn’t even ucl best player nor premier league best player. So just forget. Benzema has 41goals ,13assists already topscorer or ucl n laliga,still will win pichichi,laliga so keep dreaming
RAJANSHARMA
0
Messi won the champions league right ?😂😂😂he was even knocked in round of 16 and somehow had the balon d’or . Thieves
i agree he didn't deserve that Ballon'd'or
yawabnpz
1
Benzema getting all the limelight for the sole reason that he is the only outperformer in his team. He scores, he assists. De Bruyne has equal or maybe more contribution in Man City but due to the quality of the City team, one cannot see his contribution. These are true facts!
do you know how many goals and assist Benzema has when you add kdb goals and assist it doesn't even match up with Benzema scores so why do people compare them put Benzema scores and assist together and put Kdb then see for yourself
febbilnpst
2
Why Benzema will win ? Did he won UCL this season ? Wait for the season ending then decide
Messi won the champions league right ?😂😂😂he was even knocked in round of 16 and somehow had the balon d’or . Thieves
RAJANSHARMA
0
see him.. do you have a player who is going to win it? I know you will say debryn
Benzema won't win bcs Madrid can't beat both City and Liverpool in the UCL, They both are world's best 2 teams so without UCL Benzema won't win Ballon'd'or
Dollarrmadrid
0
Why Benzema will win ? Did he won UCL this season ? Wait for the season ending then decide
see him.. do you have a player who is going to win it? I know you will say debryn
RAJANSHARMA
2
Why Benzema will win ? Did he won UCL this season ? Wait for the season ending then decide
Ikm33
6
Benzema getting all the limelight for the sole reason that he is the only outperformer in his team. He scores, he assists. De Bruyne has equal or maybe more contribution in Man City but due to the quality of the City team, one cannot see his contribution. These are true facts!
Tidbcdesty
0
Kevin de bruyne the right candidate For that Ballondor 🔥🔥✅
How did Modric get in 2018 de he got the highest Goals??.. He’s own just came as a surprise
manabdlopu
4
richards still don't know the ballond'or rule is changed. from now on indvidual performances are the one that count so whether real madrid win it or not benzema will win this award no doubt.
taweouz
2
Benzema is a right candidate for the 2022 Balon d or
Sergioramoshd
1
Kevin de bruyne the right candidate For that Ballondor 🔥🔥✅
😂😂😂😂 tell me when he has 41 in 41 it’s hard for a midfielder to win it nowadays
Wocelmnrz
6
to be honest man city are really good they were the better team in England but am a Madrid fan and i hope Madrid will win the tied inn shaa Allah
Soedopuz
1
let's talk about mane at thus moment.
Tidbcdesty
5
Kevin de bruyne the right candidate For that Ballondor 🔥🔥✅