The 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place today and all eyes are on Karim Benzema.
Seven-time winner Lionel Messi is a notable absentee from the final shortlist, failing to make the grade for the first time since 2005, leaving Real Madrid star Benzema as the clear favourite.
Robert Lewandowski has offered stern competition on that front for much of the past two years but the Barcelona striker’s chance appears to have gone after seeing the 2020 version cancelled.
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At this point, it would be a surprise were Benzema not to win football’s most prestigious award but there are plenty of big names in contention.
The Premier League is vastly represented with all of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist, along with Bernardo Silva, Heung-min Son and Riyad Mahrez to name just a few.
An important date in the calendar, here’s how to watch the action.
How to watch the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony
Live stream: The ceremony will be broadcast live and free on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
