Benzema was the man of the show at Châtelet Theater in Paris, beating Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski to win his first ever Ballon d’Or award, as he honoured a piece of his childhood music inspiration, '2Pac'.
Karim Benzema pays tribute to Tupac Shakur at Ballon d'Or
French professional footballer Karim Mostafa Benzema was on Monday announced best player in world football 2022 winning his first Ballon d'Or award. He showed up in a replica of his favourite rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 look at the 23rd Annual American Music Awards.
He was clad in a similar sut to the one Shakur wore, and completed it with the round framed glasses that the rapper rocked on the night all those years ago.
Back in 2017, Benzema spoke about his background and when he started listening to hip hop music
“I must have been 7 years old or 8 years old. Yes, Tupac and all that,” Benzema said, adding that Tupac was his only favorite rapper growing up.
His dressing style was also insipred by hip hop, and from his dress code on Monday October 17, he went all out to dress like the late rapper.
Football fans were not surprised by the win since the Real Madrid captain and striker scored 44 goals in 46 games in the last season. Football legend Zinedine Zidane, who won the award back in 1998, handed him the award.
“This is a childhood dream. My journey was not easy. It was difficult for me and my family. To be here today for the first time, I am happy with my work. I will keep going," he said in his acceptance speech.
Benzema is often considered one of football's most influential players alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. He also plays on the France national football team.
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