Karim Benzema Biography: Karim Benzema, born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, currently plays for Al-Ittihad, a top club in the Saudi Pro League, and has had a long career with Real Madrid, where he spent over a decade achieving remarkable success. Internationally, Benzema represents the French National Team, making his mark with his sharp instincts, technical skill, and goal-scoring ability. Over the years, Benzema has evolved into a football icon, known for his leadership and pivotal role in major matches. With a career filled with numerous titles and accolades, he is recognized as one of France’s all-time greats, contributing significantly to both his club and country.
Karim Benzema Biography: Early Life
Benzema’s football journey began in the suburbs of Lyon, where he grew up in a humble family of Algerian descent. As a young boy, football was more than a hobby—it was his passion. He joined his first club, Bron Terraillon SC, at just eight years old in 1995. By 1996, his talent was evident, and he caught the eye of scouts at Lyon’s academy, which he joined at the age of nine. After years of development, Benzema made his professional debut with Olympique Lyonnais in 2005 at just 17 years old. His natural flair for scoring quickly earned him a spot in the French national team. In March 2007, at the age of 19, Benzema made his international debut for France in a friendly match against Austria, where he scored his first goal for the national team—an unforgettable start to his international career.
Football Career
Player Profile
| Criteria | Details |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Famous for | His incredible goal-scoring ability, leadership, and long career at Real Madrid |
| Position of Playing | Striker (Center Forward) |
| Football Playing Style | Intelligent movement, clinical finishing, playmaking ability, and aerial prowess. Known for linking up with teammates and excellent vision |
| Jersey Number | 9 |
| Coach/Mentor | Zinedine Zidane (mentor at Real Madrid), Didier Deschamps (France) |
| Debut in National/Club Level | 2005, Olympique Lyonnais vs Metz (Ligue 1) |
| Debut in International Level | 2007, France vs Austria (Friendly match, scored in debut) |
Team Information
| Years | Club/Team Name | National/Club Level | International Level |
| 2005-2009 | Olympique Lyonnais | Club Level (Ligue 1, France) | – |
| 2007-2022 | France National Team | – | International Level |
| 2009-2023 | Real Madrid | Club Level (La Liga, Spain) | – |
| 2023-2024 | Al-Ittihad | Club Level (Saudi Pro League) | – |
Stats
Youth Football Career Stats
| Match Name | Team Name | Period (Starting Year – End Year) | Total Matches Played | Attempt for Goals | Actual Goals | Assists |
| Youth League | Bron Terraillon SC | 1995 – 1996 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 3 |
| Youth League | Olympique Lyonnais (Youth) | 1996 – 2005 | 89 | 150 | 66 | 28 |
| Total | | | 104 | 170 | 76 | 31 |
Senior and International Football Career Stats
| Match Name | Team Name | Period (Starting Year – End Year) | Total Matches Played | Attempt for Goals | Actual Goals | Assists |
| Ligue 1 | Olympique Lyonnais | 2005 – 2009 | 148 | 120 | 43 | 18 |
| La Liga | Real Madrid | 2009 – 2023 | 439 | 376 | 238 | 102 |
| UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid | 2009 – 2023 | 130 | 95 | 76 | 29 |
| Saudi Pro League | Al-Ittihad | 2023 – 2024 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 4 |
| FIFA World Cup | France | 2014, 2022 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| UEFA European Championship | France | 2008, 2012, 2021 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 3 |
| International Friendlies | France | 2007 – 2022 | 30 | 25 | 10 | 7 |
| UEFA Nations League | France | 2021 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | | | 791 | 652 | 388 | 166 |
Records
Domestic/Club League Records
| Year | Match Name | Played Against | Description of the Record |
| 2007 | Ligue 1 | Saint-Étienne | Became the top scorer of Ligue 1 for the 2007–08 season, scoring 20 goals in the campaign. |
| 2008 | Lyon vs. PSG | Paris Saint-Germain | Became the youngest player to score 20 goals in a single Ligue 1 season. |
| 2011 | Real Madrid vs. Barcelona | FC Barcelona | Fastest goal scored in “El Clasico” history (22 seconds). |
| 2011 | La Liga | Sevilla | Scored the fastest goal in El Clásico history (21 seconds). |
| 2013 | La Liga | Málaga | Reached 100 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions. |
| 2014 | Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich | Bayern Munich | Part of Real Madrid’s “La Decima” Champions League-winning squad; scored vital goals. |
| 2018 | UEFA Champions League | Bayern Munich | Scored in the semifinal, helping Real Madrid advance to the final and win their 13th UCL title. |
| 2021 | Real Madrid vs. Chelsea | Chelsea FC | Scored a hat-trick in the Champions League semi-final. |
| 2021 | La Liga | Celta Vigo | Scored his 200th La Liga goal, joining an elite list of goal-scorers in Real Madrid history. |
| 2022 | Real Madrid vs. Liverpool | Liverpool FC | Led Real Madrid to a 14th Champions League title; scored a crucial goal in the final. |
| 2022 | UEFA Champions League | Manchester City | Scored a hat-trick in the semifinal, guiding Real Madrid to the UCL final. |
| 2023 | Real Madrid vs. Barcelona | FC Barcelona | Surpassed Raúl as Real Madrid’s second-highest goalscorer in “El Clasico” history. |
| 2023 | Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid | Atletico Madrid | Scored his 200th La Liga goal, becoming one of the few players to reach this milestone. |
| 2023 | UEFA Champions League | Chelsea | Scored his final UCL goal for Real Madrid, finishing with 90+ goals in the competition. |
| 2023 | Saudi Pro League | Al-Wehda | Scored his first hat-trick for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. |
| 2024 | Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Nassr | Al-Nassr FC | First player to score 10 goals in 5 consecutive matches in Saudi Pro League. |
| 2024 | Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal | Al-Hilal FC | Set record for most goals scored in the Saudi Pro League in a single season by a foreign player. |
International Records
| Year | Match Name | Played Against | Description of the Record |
| 2007 | International Friendly match in between France vs. Austria | Austria | Scored on his international debut at age 19 for France in a 1-0 victory |
| 2014 | France vs. Switzerland | Switzerland | Scored two goals and provided one assist in a single World Cup match. |
| 2014 | FIFA World Cup | Honduras | Scored two goals and assisted another in France’s opening match of the 2014 World Cup. |
| 2021 | France vs. Portugal | Portugal | Became the oldest player to score a brace in a European Championship match. |
| 2021 | UEFA Nations League Final | Spain | Scored a crucial goal in the final, helping France lift the UEFA Nations League trophy. |
| 2021 | UEFA Euro 2020 | Switzerland | Became the first French player to score in four consecutive Euro matches since Michel Platini in 1984. |
| 2022 | France vs. Denmark | Denmark | Scored in his first World Cup after six years of exclusion from the national team. |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup | (withdrew due to injury) | Selected in the squad but missed the tournament due to injury; had 37 goals in 97 appearances by then. |
| 2023 | France vs. Argentina | Argentina | Provided two assists in a FIFA World Cup final. |
| 2024 | France vs. Spain | Spain | Set record for most assists in UEFA Nations League history (12 assists). |
Awards/Honours/Top Achievements
| Year | Award/Honour | Description of Achievement |
| 2008 | Ligue 1 Player of the Year | Awarded for outstanding performance with Lyon, scoring 20 goals in the season. |
| 2014 | UEFA Champions League Winner | Part of Real Madrid’s “La Decima” squad, scoring crucial goals to help win the 2014 title. |
| 2020 | La Liga Best Player | Named the best player in La Liga for his consistent goal-scoring performance throughout the season. |
| 2021 | Nations League Winner | Helped France win the UEFA Nations League, contributing with goals and assists in crucial matches. |
| 2022 | Ballon d’Or | Won the prestigious award for the first time after a stellar season, including winning the Champions League and La Liga. |
| 2022 | UEFA Champions League Best Player | Named the best player in the 2021-2022 Champions League season, scoring vital goals in the knockout stages. |
| 2023 | FIFA Club World Cup Winner | Captained Real Madrid to victory in the FIFA Club World Cup, scoring in the final. |
| 2023 | Saudi Pro League Top Scorer | Became the top scorer in his first season with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. |
| 2024 | Saudi Pro League Player of the Year | Recognized for his outstanding performances with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, breaking several goal-scoring records. |
| 2024 | Premier League Hall of Fame | Inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame for his exceptional contributions to football during his time in the English league, before moving to Al-Ittihad. |
Personal Details
| Criteria | Details |
| Full Name | Karim Mostafa Benzema |
| Nickname | Coco |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Famous for | His goal-scoring ability, leadership, and long career at Real Madrid |
| Birthday | 19-Dec-87 |
| Age as of 2024 | 36 years |
| Birth Place | Lyon, France |
| Hometown | Lyon, France |
| Address | Lyon, France, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Nationality | French |
| Religion | Islam |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Father | Hafid Benzema |
| Mother | Wahida Djebbara |
| Brother | Gressy Benzema, Sabri Benzema |
| Sister | Laeticia Benzema, Lydia Benzema |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife/Spouse | Cora Gauthier |
| Son | Ibrahim Benzema |
| Daughter | N/A |
| Relationship/Girlfriend | N/A (Married to Cora Gauthier) |
| Educational Qualification | High School Graduate |
| School Name | Bron Terraillon SC Academy |
| College Name | N/A |
| Net Worth/Earning | Approx. $75 million (2024) |
| Passion | Cars, Fitness, Helping others |
| Hobbies | Playing video games, fitness training, charity work |
| Food Habits/Diet Chart | Balanced diet, high protein, lean meat, vegetables |
| Fitness Schedule | Intense cardio, weight training, daily football practice |
| Likes | Luxury cars, fashion, fitness |
| Dislikes | Unnecessary attention, media scrutiny |
| Instagram ID | @karimbenzema |
| Facebook ID | @KarimBenzema |
| Twitter ID | @Benzema |
Body Measurement/Physical Stats
| Criteria | Details |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lbs) |
| Chest | 42 inches |
| Waist | 33 inches |
| Biceps | 15 inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Favorites
| Category | Favorite |
| Movies | “Gladiator” |
| Songs | “Lose Yourself” by Eminem |
| Music | Hip-Hop, R&B |
| Actor | Denzel Washington |
| Actress | Angelina Jolie |
| Footballer | Ronaldo Nazário |
| Cricketer | Virat Kohli |
| Food | French cuisine, Sushi |
| Perfume | Dior Sauvage |
| Car/Car Owned | Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce Ghost |
| Bike/Bike Owned | N/A |
Controversy
| Year | Controversy |
| 2010 | Involved in a legal case regarding underage prostitution in France (case was eventually dropped). |
| 2015 | Accused of involvement in the blackmail case of teammate Mathieu Valbuena. This led to a temporary suspension from the French national team. |
| 2021 | Cleared to return to the French team after a long period of exclusion due to the Valbuena scandal. |
Comparison with Other Players
| Criteria | Karim Benzema | Robert Lewandowski | Lionel Messi | Cristiano Ronaldo | Erling Haaland | Kylian Mbappé | Neymar Jr. |
| Playing Position | Striker | Striker | Forward/Winger | Forward/Winger | Striker | Forward/Winger | Forward/Winger |
| Club (2024/25) | Al-Ittihad (Saudi Pro League) | Barcelona (La Liga) | Inter Miami (MLS) | Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League) | Manchester City (Premier League) | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) | Al Hilal (Saudi Pro League) |
| Goals Scored (Club) | 362 Goals (Real Madrid & Al-Ittihad) | 356 Goals (Bayern Munich & Barcelona) | 710 Goals (Barcelona & PSG) | 728 Goals (Real Madrid & Juventus) | 70 Goals (Manchester City) | 164 Goals (Paris Saint-Germain) | 136 Goals (Barcelona & PSG) |
| International Goals | 37 Goals (France) | 81 Goals (Poland) | 104 Goals (Argentina) | 123 Goals (Portugal) | 30 Goals (Norway) | 42 Goals (France) | 77 Goals (Brazil) |
| Trophies Won | 29 (Including 5 UCL Titles) | 24 (Including 1 UCL Title) | 43 (Including 4 UCL Titles) | 34 (Including 5 UCL Titles) | 6 (Including 1 UCL Title) | 15 (Including 1 World Cup) | 21 (Including 1 UCL Title) |
| Ballon d’Or Wins | 1 (2022) | 1 (2021) | 7 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2023) | 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Playing Style | Creative playmaker, link-up play | Target man, clinical finisher | Dribbler, playmaker, goal scorer | Speed, powerful shooter, header | Fast, strong, clinical finisher | Pace, skillful dribbler, goal scorer | Flair, dribbler, goal scorer |
Lesser-Known Facts About Karim Benzema
- Karim Benzema was born in Lyon, France, on December 19, 1987. He comes from a modest background.
- His parents are originally from Algeria. This has been a big part of his cultural identity.
- Benzema’s full name is Karim Mostafa Benzema. Not many know his middle name.
- He grew up in a large family. He has eight siblings!
- Karim started playing football at age 8. His first club was Bron Terraillon.
- His friends called him “Coco” as a kid. A nickname he still smiles about.
- Karim joined Olympique Lyonnais in 1997, at just 9 years old. His talent was noticed very early.
- He made his professional debut with Lyon in 2005. He was just 17 at the time.
- Benzema won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Lyon. From 2005 to 2008, he dominated French football.
- Karim scored his first professional goal against AC Ajaccio in 2005. It was a proud moment for the young striker.
- In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid. The transfer fee was €35 million.
- At Real Madrid, he played with legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. It was a dream team.
- Benzema has won 5 Champions League titles with Real Madrid. That’s more than most players dream of.
- In 2014, he scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid. A major milestone in his career.
- He became the third-highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history in 2020. Only Ronaldo and Raúl scored more.
- Karim won his first Ballon d’Or in 2022. A huge achievement after years of hard work.
- Benzema once trained with Zinedine Zidane’s son. Zidane was also his coach at Real Madrid.
- He speaks French, Spanish, and a little bit of Arabic. Multilingual skills always come in handy.
- Karim is known for his calm and humble personality. He’s not one to make a big fuss.
- He’s a practicing Muslim. Benzema fasts during Ramadan, even while playing high-intensity games.
- Karim has a tattoo of his son’s name, Ibrahim, on his arm. Family means everything to him.
- He’s a big fan of video games. You might catch him playing FIFA with friends.
- Benzema is a huge fan of cars. His collection includes a Bugatti Veyron, a Ferrari, and a Lamborghini.
- He once missed a match because of a car accident. Thankfully, it wasn’t serious.
- Karim loves boxing. He’s mentioned he might have become a boxer if not a footballer.
- His childhood idol was Brazilian Ronaldo. He even tried to copy his playing style growing up.
- Karim has a charitable side. He often donates to causes, especially for children in need.
- He’s been involved in some controversies. But he’s learned from his mistakes and bounced back.
- Benzema was left out of France’s national team for six years due to a legal issue. But he made a strong comeback in 2021.
- He has a close friendship with Kylian Mbappé. They’ve played many memorable games together for France.
- Karim loves fast food, especially burgers. He has a guilty pleasure for them after matches.
- He’s a huge fan of rap music. French rappers like Booba are his favorites.
- Benzema once featured in a music video with rapper Rohff. He had a cameo appearance.
- Karim doesn’t like the spotlight much. He prefers spending quiet time with family over parties.
- He won the French Player of the Year award three times. In 2011, 2012, and 2014.
- Karim has been a brand ambassador for Adidas for many years. He often appears in their campaigns.
- He’s broken many records at Real Madrid, including most assists for the club. Assists are a big part of his game.
- Benzema has over 60 million followers on Instagram. His posts often show his personal and family life.
- Karim loves cooking. He says it relaxes him after a long day of training.
- He practices yoga. It helps him stay flexible and avoid injuries.
- His favorite holiday destination is Dubai. He loves spending time there during the offseason.
- Karim is very private about his personal life. You won’t see many interviews about it.
- He’s been in several documentaries. One of the most notable is “Le K Benzema.”
- He set a record for most assists in the Champions League. An often overlooked part of his game.
- Benzema scored in 17 consecutive Champions League seasons. A rare and impressive feat.
- He is Real Madrid’s captain. After Sergio Ramos left, Benzema took over the captain’s armband.
- He made his international debut for France in 2007. He was just 19 years old.
- Benzema scored in his first game for France against Austria. A perfect way to start his international career.
- He holds the record for most goals by a French player in La Liga. Surpassing Thierry Henry’s record.
- Karim moved to Al-Ittihad in 2023. After spending over a decade at Real Madrid, he began a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.
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