Following Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League Final, former Champions League winners Neymar and Cesc Fabregas have weighed in on who their choices are for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
Following the delayed kick-off, the 2022 Champions League Final did not disappoint. Liverpool had the better of the first half and looked the most likely to score.
Despite their first-half dominance, Liverpool were close to going a goal down on the stroke of half-time. However, Karim Benzema’s goal was chalked off for offside.
The second half was far tighter. Madrid looked a lot more in control, and while Liverpool threatened, Thibaut Courtois was like a wall in goal.
Vinicius Jr scored what proved to be the winner midway through the second period, and despite Liverpool’s best efforts, Madrid held on to seal a 14th European Cup.
Ballon d’Or gets a new format
From this 2022-23 season, the Ballon d’Or will change. Performances across a calendar year have classically decided it.
The change means that it will now be decided based on season performances and not solely the calendar year.
There are also three specific criteria used to determine the winner. These are individual performance, collective performance (team), and fair play (setting a good example for future generations).
Many believed before this match that whoever won the Champions League out of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah or Benzema would also win the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Sadio Mane was another shout, given his African Cup of Nations win with Senegal at the beginning of the year.
But following their Champions League final exploits, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior have emerged as potential contenders for the award. Real Madrid won La Liga this season comfortably in the end, and now the pair have added Europe’s most coveted trophy to their 2022 haul.
This season, Vinicius has 22 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions and has emerged as a crucial part of Real’s strikeforce. Courtois, meanwhile, has been consistently strong in goal throughout the campaign, and his latest exploits only enhance his reputation further.
Cesc Fabregas and Neymar make their decision
Following the Champions League final, Fabregas and Neymar named their winners. Given his brilliant season and recent Champions League win, many would expect Benzema, but neither went for the Frenchman.
Following his vital Champions League final-winning goal, Neymar selected Vinicius Junior as his selection for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
He said: “The Ballon d’Or? Based on the games I have seen, I would give it to Vinicius.”
On the other hand, Fabregas backed Courtois after his player of the match performance.
Courtois was arguably more vital than Vinicius for Madrid in the final. On countless occasions, the Belgian denied Liverpool and made some brilliant saves to preserve the lead.
Who will win Ballon d’Or 2022?
The result of Saturday’s Champions League final has thrown the Ballon d’Or into doubt. Benzema appeared nailed on after the season he’s had and the win in Saturday’s final.
However, the performances of his teammates Vinicius and Courtois have certainly given the decision-makers something to consider.
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