'What a beautiful moment': Karim Benzema receives Ballon d'Or trophy from Real Madrid legend Zidane - Watch

Real Madrid captain and French forward Karim Benzema was declared the winner of men's Ballon d'Or 2022 award on Monday. Benzema received the Ballon d'Or trophy from Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane in Paris.

Real Madrid captain and French forward Karim Benzema was named the winner of the men's Ballon d'Or 2022 award on Monday in Paris. Declared as an outright favourite, the Real Madrid forward was rewarded for his spectacular performances in the 2021-2022 season where Los Blancos secured a record-extending European title after a remarkable LaLiga campaign. Legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane was beaming with pride when the French icon presented the golden ball to the Real Madrid striker during the gala event.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after winning the 2022 Ballon d'Or trophy (AP)

After the former Real Madrid head coach handed the Ballon d'Or trophy to Benzema at Paris's Theatre du Chatelet, the unforgettable interaction between the two French stalwarts of the beautiful game became a major hit on the internet. "Look at how happy Zinedine Zidane is for him. What a beautiful moment," a Twitter user said. "Zinedine Zidane was always there for Karim Benzema," another fan added.

"Zizou is a big brother. He was my coach (at Real from 2016-18 and 2019-21), it means a lot to me. He's the best French player in history, so it makes it even more special," Benzema said after collecting the Ballon d'Or trophy from Zidane. Benzema smashed 44 goals in 46 games for La Liga giants Real Madrid last season. Leading Carlo Ancelotti's men to their fourteenth European title, Benzema netted 15 goals in the 2021-2022 season of the UEFA Champions League. Benzema also won the UEFA Nations League title with France in the previous season. The veteran striker pipped Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski to win his maiden golden ball in Paris.