Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema is a France international football player who currently features for the Spanish and European giants Real Madrid. He plays as a striker and is regarded as one of the best players in his position in European football.

Benzema developed at the youth academy of French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais and made his league debut for the first team on January 15, 2005 when he made a substitute appearance against Metz. Just days later he signed his first professional contract with the Ligue 1 outfit but did not make much impact for the subsequent two seasons.

The 2007-08 campaign was Benzema’s breakthrough season and he exhibited his talent. He topscored in the league with 20 goals and scored four times in the UEFA Champions League too. He signed a new contract with Lyon in March 2008 and became one of the highest paid footballers in France. Benzema was honoured with the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award that season.

Benzema continued his good form in the 2008-2009 season and scored 17 league goals in the season. Thereafter he joined Real Madrid for €35 million, but struggled in the 2009-10 season.

However, Benzema made a better impact in the following two seasons, scoring 58 competitive goals and helping Los Blancos win the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012.

Benzema made his international debut for France against Austria on March 28, 2007 and scored on his debut too. He featured for his nation at Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup finals and Euro 2012 and has played more than 50 international matches, scoring 15 goals.