Unsurprisingly, Karim Benzema won in Paris, the Ballon d’Or France Football 2022. But the other highlight concerns Sadio Mané who was honoured, for having received the first Socrates prize in history. A distinction created this year in tribute to the former Brazilian international and which rewards any footballer for his commitment to social and charitable works.
The highlight of yesterday evening in Paris was, of course, the award of the Ballon d’Or France Football to the lucky winner. An unsurprising distinction that went to Karim Benzema through a grand ceremony co-presented by the Ivorianlegend, Didier Drogba, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. But before this award, the last act of the evening, it was necessary to scrutinise the name of the recipient of the first Socrates Prize in history. A new distinction for this 66th edition, created this year in tribute to the former Brazilian international and which rewards a footballer for his commitment to societal and charitable projects.
A reward that will finally come to Sadio Mané. The Senegalese international is acclaimed for having built infrastructure including a hospital, a school and a mosque in his native region of Bambali. And it was from the hands of the former Parisian, Raí, brother of the late Socrates, that the African champion received his prize.
Dubbed the « Sócrates Award », this distinction pays tribute to one of the figures of Brazilian football, who died in 2011.He was active in the famous « Corinthian Democracy » of the early 80s. Precisely for this award, this year Equipe Group partnered with the Peace and Sport Organization and the family of Sócrates, the former Brazilian international to create a seventh symbolic trophy to be awarded during the traditional ceremony.
The jury was composed of Raí, brother of Sócrates and former captain of the PSG and Seleção, Sóstenes, director general of the Gol de Letra Foundation, Joël Bouzou and Jean-Jérôme Perrin-Mortier, president and CEO of Peace and Sport as well as Jérôme Cazadieu and Pascal Ferré, editorial director and editor-in-chief of France Football.
By Hyacinthe DIANDY / hdiandy@lequotidien.sn
- Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH
