Topics: Ballon d;Or, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Alexia Puttellas
Karim Benzema, Alexia Puttellas, Sadio Mane, and a few other football stars were honored at Monday night's ceremony.

The 2022 France Football Awards successfully concluded on Monday night with Real Madrid and French football star winning the Men's Ballon d'Or for the first time ever. The 34-year-old striker was presented the 66th Ballon d'Or award inside the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris after beating the likes of Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne.

Following the controversy that came with Lionel Messi picking up the coveted award for a record seventh time, the criteria for selecting the winner was redefined for the prize to be given based on the merits of the last season of football, as opposed to the last calendar year. Nevertheless, it was hardly in doubt that Benzema was going to be adjudged the winner this year after the remarkable campaign he had with Real Madrid and the French national team.

At the end of the night, the results that were leaked ahead of the ceremony were confirmed, with the Los Blancos skipper finishing in first place in the men's category. At the age of 34, the striker became the oldest the oldest Ballon d'Or winner since 1956. He is also the fifth Frenchman in history to secure the prestigious prize, with Zinedine Zidane being the last compatriot to receive the recognition in 1998.

In the women's category Barcelona forward Alexia Putellas successfully defended her crown by claiming her second Ballon d'Or in succession. Thibaut Courtois made it a double swoop for Real Madrid by winning the Yashin Trophy - the award for the best goalkeeper.

Robert Lewandowski, whom many tipped to win last year's Ballon d'Or, ended the night by winning the first-ever Gerd Muller trophy. The award is given to the top scorer of the season combining goal both for club and country and the Polish striker rightfully earned it after scoring 50 times in 46 games for Bayern Munich last season, while also hitting the target seven times for his national side.

Barcelona's teenage sensation Gavi made it three wins for the Catalans by securing the Kopa trophy for being the best youngster in the game after breaking through the ranks season. The Socrates Award which recognizes acts of solidarity by football players was given to Sadio Mane and Manchester City completed the awards list by being adjudged the best club of the year.