When Carlo Ancelotti was given the job of reviving Real Madrid last summer, he wanted to calm the nerves and steady the ship after a disastrous season for the Spanish giants. The notion that the 63-year-old, who led Everton to a disappointing 10th-place finish in his one and only full Premier League campaign, might actually win both the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup in quick succession was ridiculous. 

Not any more. On Wednesday night at Finland's most legendary event arena Olympic Stadium, Ancelotti guided his newly-minted Champions League winners to another trophy as Madrid outclassed Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 to lift the Super Cup. 

The victory means Ancelotti became the first coach in history to win the showpiece event four times. He first led AC Milan to the summit in 2003 and 2007, and then helped Madrid be crowned the Kings of Europe in 2014 and 2022. Madrid have now matched Milan and Barcelona's record of five Super Cup wins.

The Italian tactician chose the same eleven players who started the Champions League final in May, and his ever dependable Madrid stars dominated possession and left Frankfurt chasing shadows throughout the much-anticipated encounter. They duly took the lead shortly before the break through David Alaba, who tapped home from close range. 

Karim Benzema, who netted a record 27 goals in La Liga and an incredible 15 in European competitions last season, caught the eye once again. The 34-year-old put the game beyond doubt when he unleashed an accurate shot past Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp after being picked out by his attacking partner Vinicius Junior. 

It was Benzema's 324th goal for Los Blancos and he is now Real Madrid's second all-time top scorer, only behind club legend Cristiano Ronaldo who has 450. The latest achievement made him the overwhelming favorite to win this year's Ballon d'Or, whose nominees will be announced on Friday.

"Benzema is a leader," beamed Ancelotti after the victory. "If we're here, it's partly because of him. He scored a lot of goals. Now for the Ballon d'Or... Are there any doubts? I don't think anyone has doubts about that." 

"For us he's the most important player, he's the most efficient player in the world in this moment," Ancelotti added. "He was important to win the Champions League... He scored against [Manchester] City, against Chelsea, against Paris [Saint-Germain]. He's so important for us, there's no doubt that at this moment he's the best."

The sentiment was echoed by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. "From my point of view, he already deserved the Ballon d'Or last year, and this year even more," he told reporters after the awarding ceremony.

It's worth noting that last year's Ballon d'Or winner, Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi also lent his voice to Benzema, who has spent the last 13 seasons with Madrid. "I think there is no doubt [who will win] this year," said Messi during an interview with an Argentine television back in May. "It's very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year. He was fundamental in all the matches from the round of 16 onwards." 

Benzema himself, however, remained coy about the possibility of winning his first ever Ballon d'Or, which will be presented on October 17. "We will see what happens, but in any case I am proud of what I have done," he said. "I have trophies and I have nothing else [to prove] on the pitch. The important thing is to enjoy it." 

Ancelotti, meanwhile, warned his players not to get too carried away. "I didn't need this win to be able to tell you all that my team are still hungry and motivated," he said. "It was a match which was more complicated than it might have looked." 

Throughout his glittering career, Ancelotti has consistently proved his doubters wrong. Small wonder that after working miracles last season, Ancelotti is still up for the fight and shows no signs of slowing down.