Karim Benzema

Profile Football Stars | Karim Benzema | Benzema has represented France at one major international tournament: UEFA Euro 2008. Benzema was born in the city of Lyon beginning his football career with local club Terraillon.  Bron. In the 2007-08 season, Benzema Became a starter and had a breakthrough year scoring over 30 goals as Lyon won its seventh straight league title. After another season at Lyon, in July 2009, Benzema signed a six-year contract with Spanish outfit Real Madrid. After struggling to Establish Himself in his debut season with the club, in the 2010-11 season, reached prominence Benzema scoring 26 goals en-route to Helping Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey. Prior to playing for the senior team, he played on the under-17 team won the 2004 UEFA That European Under-17 Football Championship. On his debut, he scored his first international goal in a 1-0 win.

Benzema was born in Lyon, to parents of Algerian descent. Benzema is a graduate of the Lyon academy. Benzema Quickly ascended up the ranks scoring 38 goals in one season with Lyon's under-16 team and scoring 12 goals in 14 matches with the under-18 team before earning a call up to the senior squad by manager Paul Le Guen. Lyon won the match 2-0 with Benzema Providing the assists on the second goal scored by Bryan Bergougnoux. Despite losing the title, Benzema got back on track scoring his 15th and 16th goals of the season on 17 May in a 3-1 away victory over rivals Marseille, the first goal being a penalty.

On 24 August, Benzema netted two goals in Real Madrid's 4-0 victory over Norwegian club Rosenborg in an annual friendly tournament organized for the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy. On 10 December 2011, Benzema scored the fastest ever El Clásico goal, just 22 seconds into the game but eventually the Opposing team, FC Barcelona, scored three goals (Alexis, Xavi and Cesc), ending with Real Madrid losing the game, with Karim's goal as the only one for the team.

In the tournament, the which was played on home soil, Benzema scored one goal against Northern Ireland in the group stage. Benzema made only five appearances with the team scoring no goals. Alongside Yoann Gourcuff, Benzema led the team in scoring in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 netting three. He scored his three goals in wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, and Albania. On 17 November 2010, Benzema scored the opening goal in France's 2-1 win over England at Wembley Stadium.

Personal information
Full name Karim Benzema
Date of birth 19 December 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth Lyon, France
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Striker

Club information
Current club Real Madrid
Number 9

Youth career1995 - 1996 SC Bron Terraillon
1996 - 2004 Lyon

Senior career
years Team
2004 - 2009 Lyon 112 (43)
2009 - Real Madrid 82 (36)

National team
2004 France U17 2 (1)
2004 - 2005 France U18 16 (14)
2005 - 2006 France U19 8 (4)
2006 - 2007 France U21 5 (0)
2007 - France 42 (13)

Honours

Club
France Lyon
     Ligue 1 (4): 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08
     Coupe de France (1): 2007-08
     Trophée des Champions (2): 2006, 2007


Real Madrid
     Copa del Rey (1): 2010-11

France U-17
     UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship (1): 2004

Individual
     Bravo Award (1): 2008
     Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer (1): 2007-08
     UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year (1): 2007-08
     UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (1): 2007-08
     French Player of the Year (1): 2011