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Karim Benzema’s Bio, Career, Stats & History
Karim Benzema is a professional footballer from France who currently plays for Saudi Professional League club Al-Ittihad and the France national team. He was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. He is widely regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation.
Benzema is known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, technical skills, and intelligent movement on the field. He has established himself as one of the top strikers in the world throughout his career.
Profile Summary:
| Full Name | KARIM BENZEMA |
| Date Of Birth | December 19, 1987 |
| Nationality | France |
| Birth Place | Lyon, France |
| Height | 1.85m |
| Current Team | Al Ittihad |
| Position | Striker (ST), Center Forward (CF) |
Early Years:
Karim Benzema was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. He grew up in the neighborhood of Bron Terraillon, a suburban area in Lyon, and developed a passion for football from a young age.
Benzema’s talent was evident early on, and he began playing organized football at a local club called AS Bron Terraillon. His natural abilities quickly caught the attention of scouts, and at the age of nine, he joined the youth academy of Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most successful clubs in French football.
Benzema’s dedication and exceptional performances in the youth teams earned him promotion to the club’s senior squad at the age of just 17. He made his professional debut for Olympique Lyonnais in January 2005, becoming the youngest player to ever represent the club in a competitive match.
Club Career:
Benzema’s professional career began at Olympique Lyonnais, where he made his debut in January 2005 at the age of 17. He quickly became a key figure for the club, showcasing his scoring prowess and technical abilities as a striker. Benzema played a crucial role in Lyon’s dominance in French football, helping them secure multiple Ligue 1 titles from 2005 to 2008 and in 2008 he was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year. During his time at Olympique Lyonnais, Benzema made 148 appearances, scoring 66 goals and providing 27 assists.
During his time at Lyon, Benzema won;
- 4 Ligue 1 Titles: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Coupe de France: 2007–08
- 2 Trophee des Champions: 2006, 2007
Benzema developed into one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe during his time at Lyon. He consistently found the back of the net and displayed remarkable composure in front of goal. Benzema’s performances attracted the attention of top clubs. His impressive performances at Lyon earned him a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee of €35 million.
Upon his arrival at Real Madrid, Benzema faced high expectations, as he was tasked with filling the void left by the departure of iconic striker Raul. He quickly established himself as a key player, showcasing his clinical finishing, technical skills, and ability to contribute to the team’s overall attacking play.
Benzema’s partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and later with other star players, such as Gareth Bale, became one of the most formidable attacking trios in football history. Their collective brilliance propelled Real Madrid to unprecedented success both domestically and in European competitions.
Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Benzema won numerous trophies and accolades. He helped the club secure multiple La Liga titles, Copa del Rey triumphs, and UEFA Champions League trophies. Benzema played an instrumental role in Real Madrid’s incredible run of three consecutive Champions League titles from 2015 to 2018, contributing with vital goals and assists along the way. He made 648 appearances, scoring 354 goals and providing 165 assists.
During his time at Real Madrid, Benzema won numerous domestic and international titles, including:
- La Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22
- Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14, 2022–23
- Spanish Super Cup: 2012, 2017, 2021–22
- UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22
- UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Karim Benzema has achieved a lot in his club career, both individually and collectively. Here are some of his individual achievements:
- Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2008
- French Player of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2021
- UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2011–12
- Real Madrid Player of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022
- FIFA The Best Men’s Player: 2022
- Ballon d’Or: 2022
Benzema is one of the most decorated players in the history of European football. He has won 24 trophies with Real Madrid, including five Champions League titles. He is also one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the Champions League, with 78 goals in 127 appearances.
On 6 June 2023, Benzema joined Saudi Professional League club Al-Ittihad announced on a free transfer. He signed a three-year contract with the club on June 6, 2023. The deal is reportedly worth €400 million, making it one of the most expensive transfers in football history.
International Career:
Karim Benzema started off his international career at the youth level, earning caps at all youth levels he was involved in. Benzema made his senior international debut for France in March 2007 at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a promising talent, showcasing his goal-scoring abilities and technical skills on the international stage. He was part of the French squad that reached the final of the UEFA Euro 2016, where they eventually lost to Portugal. He was later involved in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where his performances earned him recognition and praise.
However, Benzema’s international career took a controversial turn in 2015. A scandal emerged involving a blackmail case against Benzema’s international teammate Mathieu Valbuena, and Benzema was allegedly involved. As a result, he was suspended from the French national team pending an investigation. This suspension prevented him from representing France for several years.
In 2021, Benzema made a highly anticipated return to the France national team for the UEFA European Championship. He played a crucial role in France’s campaign, helping the team reach the Round of 16.
In the 2021 UEFA Nations League, Benzema played a key role in France’s victory to win the Nations League title. The Nations League was Benzema’s first trophy with France’s senior team and his 27th of his career, making him the most decorated Frenchman in football history.
On 19 December, Benzema announced his retirement from the national team.
Style of Play:
Karim Benzema is a versatile striker who can play in a variety of positions. He is most comfortable as a center-forward, but he can also play as a false nine or as a winger. Karim Benzema is known for his unique and versatile style of play, which has made him one of the most prolific and respected forwards in the world. His playing style can be summarized as follows:
- Finishing: Benzema is a clinical finisher in front of goal. He possesses great composure and technique, allowing him to score goals from various positions and angles. He has a knack for finding space in the penalty area and making well-timed runs.
- Dribbling: Benzema is a skillful dribbler who can maneuver past defenders with ease. He has good close control and balance, allowing him to navigate through tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure.
- Passing: Benzema is not only a goal scorer but also an excellent playmaker. He has the vision and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates with accurate and well-timed passes. His link-up play with other players, particularly in and around the penalty area, is exceptional.
- Hold-up Play: Benzema is a strong and physically imposing striker who excels in holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into play. His ability to shield the ball and bring others into the game with his layoffs and flicks makes him an important asset in the attacking build-up.
- Tactical Awareness: Benzema’s intelligence and understanding of the game are evident in his positioning and movement off the ball. He has a keen sense of timing and knows when to make runs into the box or drop deep to create space for his teammates.
Benzema’s Net Worth:
Karim Benzema is a French professional soccer player who has a net worth of $70 million according to https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/richest-soccer/karim-benzema-net-worth/. His recent move to Saudi Arabia Club, Al Ittihad, will see him earn 200 million euros a year, making it one of the most lucrative deals in football.
His net worth is likely to continue growing in years to come.
Personal Life:
Karim Benzema is a private person who does not often share details about his personal life. However, it is known that he has been married to Cora Gauthier since 2016. They have two children together, a son named Ibrahim, who was born in 2017, and a daughter named Melia, who was born in 2019.
Benzema is a popular figure in France and he is often seen as a role model for young people. He is known for his work ethic and his dedication to the game. He is also a very humble person and he is always willing to help others.
Benzema Career Stats:
Karim Benzema is a professional footballer from France who currently plays for Saudi Professional League club Al-Ittihad and the France national team. Here are his career stats:
Club Career:
- Olympique Lyonnais (2004-2009): 148 appearances, 66 goals, 27 assists.
- Real Madrid (2009-2023): 648 appearances, 354 goals, 165 assists.
As for his international career, Benzema has made 97 appearances for the France national team, scoring 37 goals.
Karim Benzema’s career stats highlight his consistency and goal-scoring ability, both at the club and international levels.
Quick facts about Benzema
Does Benzema have a child?
Benzema is married to Cora Gauthier and they have two children together, a son named Ibrahim, who was born in 2017, and a daughter named Melia, who was born in 2019.
How many Champions League has Benzema won with Real Madrid?
Karim Benzema has won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid. He also has won four La Liga title and three Copa del Rey titles.
How much is Benzema salary in his new club?
Benzema is understood to have signed a three-year deal at Al Ittihad, which is set to see him earn almost £200million per season.
How many Ballon d’Or awards does Benzema have?
Benzema has one Ballon d’Or award. He also won the 2022 FIFA Best Men’s Player Award.
Karim Benzema’s impact on the field, his consistent goal-scoring ability, and his versatility as a striker has solidified his status as one of the top players of his generation. His technical skills, vision, and work rate make him a valuable asset for Al Ittihad. He is widely regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation and has left an indelible mark on the sport.
