The 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony concluded on Monday [IST] in France as homeboy Karim Benzema swoped in his maiden award. The Real Madrid forward showed-off his first ever Ballon d’Or trophy, after having a stellar last season with the Los Blancos. Benzema’s 44 goals and 15 assists for Real which guided them to Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles, alongside his UEFA Nations League with France national team prevailed over the other 29 candidates.
Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, who switched sides during the summer and joined Bayern Munich finished second, and Manchester City’s wizard Kevin de Bruyne bagged the third spot. However, it was five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo who was handed his career lowest rank of 20, as record winner Lionel Messi was snubbed from the overall 30-man shortlist itself. Here are the top-30 rankings in full.
Ballon d’Or: King Karim beats 29 competitors to life his maiden award
=25. Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid
Once again, the German was rock solid at the back for Chelsea, helping Thomas Tuchel’s team to a third-place finish in the Premier league and reach the FA Cup and League Cup finals. The center-back was snapped up for free by reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid over the summer transfer window.
The full-back is reaching new heights every season with Manchester City as he earned a spot in the top-30 after his 7 assists in the Premier League helped his club win a fourth league title in five years.
Nkunku burst onto the scene with Leipzig last season, racking up 55 goal involvements [35 goals and 20 assists] in 52 appearances in all competitions.
An impressive 12 assists and a seventh Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich during the last season meant Joshua Kimmich was once again in the top-30.
What a player and what a season Darwin Nunez had during the 21/22 campaign with Benfica. A staggering 34 goals in 41 games last season earned him a club record transfer to Liverpool this summer.
A surprise name, so high on the list. Maignan was a solid presence between the sticks for AC Milan keeping 17 clean-sheets in 32 games as they went all the way to clinch their first Scudetto since 2011.
The youngster just penned a new long-term contract with the defending Premier League champions and a place in the top-30 was just cherry on top of the cake. Impressive 14 goals and 11 assists for the Cityzens last season.
The man who almost single-handedly dragged Manchester City to the Premier League title, and was in touching distance of leading his team to their first ever Champions League title with 20 goal contributions in all competitions.
A whopping 19 assists for the Liverpool right-back as the Reds tumbled in the last stages on their way to an unprecedented quadruple.
Carried Tottenham to a fourth place finish in some dramatic fashion over fierce rivals Arsenal, as he netted 17 goals and provided 9 assists in 37 league games.
Despite the five-time winner’s 24 goals in 39 games for United, Ronaldo had to settle in for the 20th rank. The Red Devils endured another trophy-less season and even failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The winger only arrived at Anfield in January this year, but notched a quick-fire 6 goals and 5 assists in 26 games. However, he was brought after an impressive first-half of the season for Porto where he accumulated 16 goals and 6 assists in 26 games.
A story similar to that of Luis Diaz. Switched sides in the middle of the last season as his 20 goals in 24 games for Fiorentina forced Juventus to splash £75 million on his transfer, where he bagged another 8 goals.
The towering center-back was far from his best last season, but still stood his ground firm to help Liverpool chase a quadruple and win the cup double of FA Cup and League Cup.
An important part of the Liverpool midfield ever since he joined the club, and continued his exploits last season to help the Reds reach three cup finals and win two.
Goodness the numbers Rafael Leao delivered for Milan during the 21/22 season. 14 goals and 12 assists made him one of the hottest prospects of the summer market as English giants Chelsea were on his trail.
Another surprise package of the last season. His 11 goals in 8 Champions League games, and another 27 in 31 Eredivisie appearances meant Ajax retained their title as Haller moved to Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Though Mahrez has started this season on a backfoot, the Algerian was City’s top-scorer last season netting 24 in 47 games, with 9 assists as well.
The Premier League golden boot winner [joint with Mohamed Salah] during the dominance of Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Son had to make this list and 11th spot is well deserved.
The goal machine, despite troubled by injuries last season managed 29 goals in 30 games for Dortmund before making a move to English champions Manchester City.
Ageing like a fine wine, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner was at the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield at 36 to lead them to Champions League and La Liga titles.
A breakthrough season for the Brazilian who was being touted as a failed recruitment by the Los Blancos. Vinicius proved his doubters wrong as he accumulated 22 goals and 20 assists to lift his maiden Champions League trophy.
The ‘keeper was a spider in the net for Real Madrid whole season last year, as his record 9 saves in the Champions League final against Liverpool were just as remarkable. Finishing his career best in the Ballon d’Or, the Belgian did take home the Yachine Trophy.
6. Kylian Mbappe – PSG
A season marred with controversies over his collapsed move to Real Madrid and bumper contract extension at PSG, Mbappe still continued his scoring spree but couldn’t make the top-five.
5. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Salah storm dominated the Premier League last season as the Liverpool man racked up a massive 23 goals on his way to win the golden boot and added another 14 assists. While failed to inspire the Reds in the Champions League final, he did help them lift the cup double.
The Poland international reached the 50-goal mark with Bayern Munich last season before joining Barcelona this summer, but as evident they weren’t enough for him to finally lift the golden ball.
The midfielder, who usually takes up the creative responsibility smashed in some crucial goals as well last season as he too won his highest rank in the award.
Mane and Liverpool may have missed out on the potential quadruple, the Senegalese finally led his nation to glory by clinching the Africa Cup of Nations.
No doubts here as his 10 goals in knockout stages of the Champions League single handedly took Real Madrid to glory and another 27 in the La Liga meant they swooped in a double.