The 2022 Ballon d'Or ceremony hosted by France Football threw up no surprises with Real Madrid attacker Karim Benzema winning the prestigious trophy for the first time.

Benzema, who won the La Liga and the Champions League in the year 2021-22, was the overwhelming favourite to win the Ballon d'Or in Monday's ceremony in Paris courtesy of his 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games last season.

He is the fifth Frenchman to claim the prize, the first since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.

Benzema's Real Madrid teammate goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who won the 2022 Yacine Award, has been in blistering form for the Spanish champions. He produced a phenomenal performance against English champions Manchester City in the Champions League final last year.

The blue side of Manchester won the Club of the Year award, having had six nominees in the final Ballon d'Or list.

Barcelona took home the Kopa Trophy, which is presented to the young player of the year, second time in a row with Gavi winning the award for the Catalunia side.

Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2022, with Arsenal's Beth Mead being a close second.