Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. He grew up in Bron, an eastern suburb of Lyon, and began his football career in the local youth club Bron Terraillon SC. Benzema's early prodigious skills in football quickly caught the attention of scouts from Olympique Lyonnais, leading to his enrollment in the Lyon academy and eventual promotion to the first team.

Karim Benzema made his professional debut for Olympique Lyonnais on January 15, 2005, in a match against Metz. At the time, Lyon was a dominant force in French football, and Benzema played a small role in helping the team secure another Ligue 1 title that season. His performances eventually earned him a regular spot in the team in the following seasons.

On July 10, 2009, Karim Benzema transferred from Olympique Lyonnais to Real Madrid for a fee of approximately €35 million. This move marked a significant step in his career as he joined one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. At Real Madrid, Benzema would go on to establish himself as a crucial part of the team, contributing to numerous successes including multiple UEFA Champions League titles.

On July 10, 2011, Karim Benzema was honored with the title of French Player of the Year, awarded by France Football magazine. This accolade acknowledged his exceptional performances both domestically and internationally, and his continuous development into one of the leading strikers in European football at that time.

Karim Benzema scored in France's crucial World Cup qualifying play-off match against Ukraine on November 19, 2013. His goal played an instrumental part in securing France's place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, after they overturned a 2-0 first-leg defeat to win 3-0 in the return leg at the Stade de France, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

On December 20, 2014, Karim Benzema played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's victory against San Lorenzo in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, held in Marrakesh, Morocco. The victory added another prestigious international title to Benzema's career accomplishments, highlighting his importance in Real Madrid's lineup as they dominated the tournament.

Karim Benzema scored the opening goal in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool on May 26, 2018, helping Real Madrid secure a 3-1 victory. This win marked Real Madrid's 13th European Cup title and Benzema's fourth Champions League trophy with the club, cementing his reputation as a big-game player in European competitions.

On June 23, 2021, Karim Benzema returned to the French national football team to play in the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, after a long absence due to off-field controversies. Benzema scored two goals in a 2-2 draw against Portugal in the group stage and was recognized for his strong performance, contributing significantly to the team during the tournament.

On October 17, 2022, Karim Benzema won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, which is given to the best football player in the world each year. His exceptional performances during the 2021-2022 season, particularly in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, earned him this top individual accolade, becoming the first French player to win it since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.

On June 6, 2023, Karim Benzema transferred from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club. This marked the end of an era as Benzema left Real Madrid after 14 years filled with numerous achievements and successes. The move also signaled a new challenge for Benzema in the Saudi Professional League.