Karim Benzema, the captain of Real Madrid, has won the UEFA Player of the Year award.
The Frenchman took up the award ahead of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and teammate Thibaut Courtois.
With 15 goals, he led all scorers in the Champions League last season.
Later this year, the 34-year-old is the overwhelming favorite to win the Ballon d’Or.
Madrid won the LaLiga championship this season, finishing 13 points ahead of Barcelona, thanks in large part to Benzema.
He has scored 35 goals in 37 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who have already won four titles in 2022.
