Cristiano Ronaldo won his fifth and most recent Ballon d'Or in 2017 while leading the line at Real Madrid, but few would have expected strike partner Karim Benzema to be the next duo to win the award.
Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or on Monday as the overwhelming choice after an incredible season in which he scored 44 goals and led Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double.
The win marks only the second time since 2007 that a player other than Ronaldo or Lionel Messi has claimed the award and perhaps highlights a transition away from the era of their dominance.
Ronaldo finished 20th in the voting, his worst result since 2005, and Benzema's success is perhaps the greatest reward for years of selfless service to the Portuguese star's legendary career.
In the four seasons since Ronaldo left Real in 2018, Benzema scored 136 goals in all competitions, having netted just 81 in the same amount of time.
The Frenchman was often used as an enabler for Ronaldo and took on a supporting role for the good of the team, resulting in 15 trophies during their time as teammates.
However, Benzema has enjoyed a more central role following Ronaldo's departure and has become a rare star for Real Madrid, being named the club's player of the year three times.
But Benzema's best individual accolade came in Paris, where he picked up the Ballon d'Or and perhaps showed that Ronaldo prevented the Frenchman from showing his full potential.
When Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, Real opted not to bring in an outright replacement, although that summer, they did sign Vinicius Junior, who has since become an integral part of the Madrid squad.
Real Madrid spent €115m on Eden Hazard the following year, but the Belgian's injury concerns have made him a footnote in Madrid. In contrast, striker Luka Jovic has come and gone despite having cost 60 million euros.
Real's failed replacements for Ronaldo might be the biggest compliment for Benzema, as the club has not felt the impact of his big-money moves floundering due to goals from their vice-captain.
The club is reportedly not interested in pursuing Kylian Mbappe next summer as they are still happy with Benzema, despite being 34 and only scoring five goals this season.
Benzema will undoubtedly become a Real Madrid legend and has now joined the elite of football to win the Ballon d'Or; After being in Ronaldo's shadow, the teammate has officially become the hero.
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