Karim Mostafa Benzema, born December 19, 1987, is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker for and captains Real Madrid in La Liga.
Benzema is recognized as one of the best attackers of all time.
He is Real Madrid’s all-time second-highest goal scorer and assists provider.
Benzema has won 24 trophies with Real Madrid, including four La Liga, two Copa del Rey, and five UEFA Champions League crowns.
Early life and Education
Karim Mostafa Benzema was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France.
He grew up in the Bron area in a big family of Algerian origin.
Hafid and Wahida Benzema, Benzema’s parents, were immigrants who arrived in France in the 1970s.
Benzema showed an early interest in football and began playing at a young age.
His father trained him, recognizing his skill and encouraging him to pursue his passion for the sport.
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Career
Club Career
Benzema, who was born in Lyon to Algerian parents, started his career with Olympique Lyonnais in 2005, contributing sporadically to three Ligue 1 titles.
He was awarded League Player of the Year and Team Player of the Year in 2008.
After finishing as the league’s top goalscorer and earning his fourth league championship and first Coupe de France.
Benzema joined Real Madrid for €35 million in 2009, setting a French record at the time.
After struggling to establish himself in his debut season.
He eventually established a consistent goalscoring rate with the club, most notably as part of the BBC.
A highly rated trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bal, who were crucial to four Champions League victories from 2014 to 2018.
Following Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, Benzema moved from the false 9 position to the lone striker position.
Karim was nominated to the La Liga Team of the Season four times in a row, from 2018 to 2022.
Winning La Liga Best Player twice and the Pichichi Trophy for the first time in 2022.
Benzema finished as the top scorer in the Champions League as he won his fifth title in 2022.
International Career
Benzema, a French international, won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and made his senior debut for France in 2007, at the age of 19.
He has 97 caps, scoring three goals and appearing in four major tournaments, and is France’s sixth-highest all-time goalscorer.
Benzema was controversially left out of the squad for the 2010 World Cup and did not play for France for over five years.
After being implicated in a blackmailing scandal in 2015.
He later returned to the squad before announcing his international retirement in December 2022.
He has been named French Player of the Year four times by France Football.
For his performances in 2021 and 2022, Benzema was awarded the UEFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or.
Becoming the fifth French player to win the award, and the second-oldest winner, after Stanley Matthews, at 34 years and 302 days.
Personal Life
Benzema is a dedicated father to his two children, Ibrahim, a son, and Melia, a daughter.
He frequently posts images and videos of his children on social media, demonstrating his passion and love for them.
Benzema has kept his personal life discreet over the years, although he has been linked to numerous high-profile partnerships.
He is now in a long-term relationship with Cora Gauthier.
