Photo credit: The Indian Express
Karim Benzema Profile
| Player’s Name | Karim Benzema |
| Country | France |
| Citizenship | France, Algeria |
| Current Club | Real Madrid |
| Previous Club | Olympique Lyon |
| Shirt Number | 9 |
| Position of Play | Centre forward |
| Other Position | Left-winger |
| Height | 184cm |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Place of Birth | Lyon, France |
| Date of Birth | December 19, 1987 |
| Foot | Both |
| Signed | July 9, 2009 |
| Contract | June 30, 2023 |
| Outfitter | Adidas |
Professional Career
Early life
Karim Benzema is a Centre forward playing his club football at Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and represents France at the international level.
He was born in Lyon, France on December 19, 1987, and began his football career at Bron Terraillon before joining Lyon.
Lyon
It’s at Lyon that the striker developed for the period he represented the club between the 2005-2009 season. In his first season, he scored 4 goals in 16 appearances after making his debut on October 2, 2005 against Rennes.
He began the second season well scoring in the first game but suffered an injury that kept him out until the next season. In the third season, he came back stronger, and with good chemistry with new coach Alain Perrin, he was the top scorer.
His 20 goals in the League and 31 across all competitions saw Lyon win their first-ever double. In March 2008, the club extended his contract making him the highest-paid player in Ligue 1.
He finished the season with many awards including being named the Player of the Year, Selection to the Team of the Year, Bravo Award, and a nomination for the Ballon d’Or Award which Cristiano Ronaldo won.
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants signed the promising striker in July 2009 on a six-year deal joining Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in the recent signings at the club. He scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly win over Shamrock Rovers.
He played his first La Liga game against Deportivo and scored his first league goal against Xerez. He however could not get much playing time due to the presence of Gonzalo Higuaín who was the main striker.
He signed a new contract in August 2014 to keep him at Madrid until 2019. Benzema then became a regular starter and was scoring goals for his team. He even won the award of La Liga Player of the Month in October and was named the French Player of the Year award.
Benzema was key in the club’s Champions League and La Liga wins in 2017. He signed a contract extension till 2021. In 2018, he scored a brace against Bayern in the semifinal and another in the finals in a 3-1 win over Liverpool to help Madrid win their third consecutive Champions League title.
In 2018 when Ronaldo left for Juventus, Benzema was entrusted with the responsibility of getting goals for the team. He filled the gap so well and finished as the club’s top score with 30 goals in all competitions.
In 2021, he was once again put to test by being promoted to the role of the Vice-captain when Sergio Ramos left to join PSG. He scored a hat trick against PSG and Chelsea in the round of 16 and quarter-finals.
His extra-time penalty against Manchester City booked the club a ticket to face Liverpool in the Champions League finals and helped Madrid to win the La Liga under Carlo Ancelotti.
Karim Benzema Market value and Net worth
Benzema’s value has risen over time; an analysis of his current value reveals that Benzema has a market value of 25 million euros. Tracking back to his early days, he had a market value of 0.45M euros as of August 2005 when he was 17 years old and playing at Olympique Lyon.
The Centre forward has an estimated net worth of 70 million dollars. The main source of his worth is his successful football career where he gets his earnings.
Karim Benzema‘s wife
He is married to a beautiful French model called Cola Gauthier. Cola and Karim got married in 2017 in a wedding done in London. The two had been dating since 2015 when they met in Dubai. The professional model also deals with popular clothing and footwear brands.
Karim Benzema‘s Parents.
The name of his father goes Hafid Benzema and his mother is called Wahida Djebbara. They originated from Algeria and migrated to France settling in Bron located in Lyon, France. He is the sixth born from a family of nine kids.
Karim Benzema’s age, height, and weight.
Born on December 19, 1987, Benzema is 34 years old. He is 1.84m tall or 6.0 feet and has a weight of 84kg or 184lbs.
Karim Benzema’s injury history
The striker has suffered setbacks in his career attributed to injuries that he has suffered from time to time. Some of the notable injuries include a fractured finger in 2019, a bruise in 2020, muscle injury in 2021, Coronavirus, knee problem, and hamstring injuries in 2022.
Why Karim Benzema wears a hand bandage
If you have watched Benzema play, am sure you will notice a bandage wrapped on his hand. The reason why he covers his hand with a bandage is due to a finger fracture he suffered in 2019 following a challenge by Marc Bartra of Real Betis.
Why Karim Benzema is called Coco
The name Coco is a nickname that his friends named Karim Benzema when he was playing at his hometown club Terraillon SC and scored a brace against Lyon at the age of 8 years.
Karim Benzema Transfer history.
Benzema was playing at his hometown clubs AS Buers Villeurbanne and SC Bron Terraillon between 1993 and 1997 when he Joined Olympique Lyonnais Youths.
After eight years at the club’s youth system, he was called to the senior team on July 1, 2005. He began to attract big clubs across Europe but Real Madrid signed him for 35 million euros in July 2009.
Karim Benzema salary
Based on his contract that was extended in August 2021, the French striker earns a weekly salary of 170,000 euros equivalent to 9.2 million euros a year at Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema contract
Karim Benzema joined La Liga club Real Madrid on July 9, 2009, from Lyon. He is currently on a two-year contract after his contract extension on August 20, 2021. The contract will expire on June 30, 2023.
Karim Benzema’s position and style of play
The main position of play for Benzema is at the Centre forward. However, he can as well play on the left-wing and right-wing. Benzema’s style of play involves the use of his speed to sprint and dribble past the opposition defenders and act as a playmaker for his team, his finishing abilities and phenomenal.
Karim Benzema ranking.
Globally Benzema ranks at position 263 among all players in the world. In his country France, Benzema is number 35. Looking at how he sits at the club level and the Spanish La Liga, he settles for position 11 at Real Madrid and position 50 in La Liga respectively.
At the Centre forward, which is his main position of play, he ranks number 42. A quick look at his age mates that are players born in 1987, Benzema stands at position 2.
Karim Benzema FIFA 22 rating.
Benzema has an overall rating of 91 with the potential of 91. He rates with four stars in skill moves and four stars for the weak foot. He has an international reputation of four. His work rate is medium/medium. In terms of traits, he is a leader, team player, playmaker, and clinical finisher.
A 360-degree view of his rating shows that he has a pace rate of 80, shooting of 83, passing at 80, dribbling is 87, defense at 39, and physicality at 78.
Trophies won by Karim Benzema
- Four-time Ligue 1 winner with Lyon.
- Won Coupe de France twice with Lyon.
- Won the Trophee des Champions two times with Lyon.
- Four-time UEFA Champions League Winner with Real Madrid.
- Won EUFA Super Cup three times with Real Madrid.
- FIFA Club World Cup-four times at Real Madrid.
- La Liga four times with Real Madrid.
- Copa de Rey two times at Real Madrid.
- Supercopa de Espana four times with Real Madrid.
- UEFA Nations League with France.
- EURO U-17 with France under 17.
Karim Benzema individual awards
- French Player of the Year four times.
- Champions League Squad of the Season-2021.
- FIFA Men’s Best Player-2021.
- La Liga Best Player-2020.
- Real Madrid Player of the Season-three times.
- Ballon d’Or nominee-nine times.
- EUFA Nations Finals Man of the Match-2021.
- UEFA Nations Goal of the Tournament-2021.
- UEFA Nations Bronze Boot-2021.
- World Cup 2014 man of the Match-twice.
- UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup top Scorer-2005.
- Member of Guinness World Record.
- ESM Team of the Year-2021.
- Madrid Sports Press Association Award.
- La Liga Player of the Month-five times.
- La Liga Best Player-2020.
- Top Assists in Champions League-2012.
- Lyon Best Player-twice.
- Ligue 1 Player of the Month-twice.
- Ligue 1 Player of the Year-twice.
- Ligue 1 Team of the Year-twice.
- French Cup Top Scorer-2008.
- Ligue 1 Top Scorer-2008.
