Karim Benzema is the Ballon d’Or winner for the year 2022. With a season where he was far clear of any opposition, it came as a surprise to no one when his name was announced for the accolade.
Since the suspense around the winner was pretty much non-existent, the questions surrounding the event were more about what the French striker would wear to this auspicious event.
Previous winners have had some pretty newspaper-worthy fits, like when Leo Messi wore a glittery tuxedo.
Considering how extravagant Benzema is on his Instagram and how in tune he is with fashion, hopes were clearly high.
The 34-year-old sought inspiration from music. Benzema has always been a fan of American Rap music and has frequently referenced his love for who most consider the all-time GOAT of hip hop – Tupac Shakur.
The Real Madrid striker frequently shares pictures of Tupac Shakur on social media, showing how passionate Benzema is about the late rapper’s artistry.
As a Frenchman with strong Algerian ancestry who grew up in Lyon, Karim can appreciate Shakur’s advocacy for the underprivileged.
Keeping all this in mind, it is only fitting that Benzema turned up to this grand award event in Paris dressed just like his idol did.
He wore a black collar and golden round-framed glasses that were nearly identical to what Tupac wore to the 1996 American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
With the exception of the similar bow tie tied around the neck and the pair of thin-rimmed spectacles, the attire is a straightforward black blazer with a white shirt and black pants.
With this win, Benzema became only the second-ever Muslim Ballon d’Or winner. Who was the first you might ask? The man who gave him the trophy, of course, Zinedine Zidane.
Benzema was also the first Frenchman since Zidane to win the Ballon d’Or. Special connection.
All of this makes for a larger occasion to celebrate than it already is. Benzema has a history of posting the fanciest, most luxurious, and most dripped-out videos on Insta.
With this Ballon D’or win, fans can’t wait to see what the Frenchman has in store for the world.
Scoring a goal against arch-nemesis Barcelona a day before the Ballon D’or event, it looks like Benzema might be finding his champion form again.
Could he possibly make it back-to-back awards? Only time will tell.
