'Age is just a number': Benzema reacts to winning his first Ballon d'Or

At the age of 34, Karim Benzema has become the oldest Ballon d'Or winner in 68 years. He is also only the second other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo since 2007 and the fifth Frenchman to win the prestigious award.

Here's what Big Benz' said upon receiving his trophy while on stage in Paris.

"This is a childhood dream. My journey was not easy. To be here today for the first time, I am happy with my work. I will keep going".

"There was a difficult period where I wasn't in the national team but I never stopped working hard or gave up".

"I want to thank all my teammates at Real Madrid and France and my coach and Florentino Perez who is here this evening, and also the support of Jean-Michel Aulas [Lyon president].

"There are a lot of people to thank. It is an individual prize but still a collective one because of everyone who played a role in it.

"Age is just a number for me. People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire. It is this drive that has kept me going and never allowed me to give up".