Mesut Ozil has led the tributes to Karim Benzema after the Real Madrid forward was finally confirmed as this year's Ballon d'Or winner.
The France international, 34, was widely expected to receive the prestigious honour after scoring 44 goals in 46 appearances for Real last season. His talismanic form helped Carlo Ancelotti's side win the LaLiga title, Champions League and Supercopa de Espana.
Benzema also ended his five-and-a-half-year international exile to inspire France to glory in the Nations League, scoring in the 2-1 win against Spain in the final last October. It's the first time he's won the Ballon d'Or after being nominated on nine previous occasions.
Ozil, who played alongside Benzema at Real between 2010 and 2013, tweeted after his triumph was confirmed: "My boy Benzi - the best player in the world. I've always said you will win this trophy and you deserve it so much. Proud of you my brother."
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who was part of Real's squad last season, added: "Congratulations my friend, it's been an honour to play with you."
Kaka, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2007 before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the prize over the next decade, also played alongside Benzema at Real. He tweeted: "Congrats on the well-deserved honour, my friend! Welcome to the team."
Do you think Karim Benzema deserved to win the Ballon d'Or? Let us know in the comments below!
Some of Benzema's current teammates have also celebrated his achievement on social media. Vinicius Junior described him as "the best" and Eduardo Camavinga said his victory was "the people's Ballon d'Or".
Benzema finished ahead of Sadio Mane in second and Kevin De Bruyne in third to win the Ballon d'Or. From fourth to 10th, Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius, Luka Modric and Erling Haaland completed the roll of honour.
"This prize in front of me makes me really proud," said Benzema. "When I was small, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up. Anything is possible. I'm really proud of my journey here. It wasn't easy, it was a difficult time for my family as well."
The Premier League was well represented in the men's vote, as Son Heung-min, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Joao Cancelo and Darwin Nunez also made the top 30.
In terms of the women's vote, Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas picked up her second successive Ballon d'Or ahead of England's Beth Mead in second and Chelsea forward Sam Kerr in third. Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright also made the top 20.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi won the Kopa Trophy - given to the world's best youngster - ahead of Camavinga in second, Jamal Musiala in third and Jude Bellingham in fourth. Gavi's club and international teammate Pedri won the prestigious honour last year.
Courtois received the Yashin Trophy - awarded to the world's best goalkeeper - ahead of Alisson in second and Ederson in third. Mane was handed the new Socrates Trophy for his charitable work, and Lewandowski retained the Gerd Muller Trophy as the best striker.
The Ballon d'Or is an annual award that's been organised by magazine France Football since 1956. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious prizes in football. Messi, who was not nominated this year, has won the Ballon d'Or a record seven times.
