PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Karim Mostafa Benzema
Nickname(s): • Coco • King Karim • Benzegoal
Profession: Footballer
Date of Birth: 19 December 1987 (Saturday)
Age (as of 2023): 36 Years
Birthplace: Lyon, France
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Nationality: French
Hometown: Lyon, France
Religion: Islam
Ethnicity: Algerian of Kabyle origin
Food Habit: Non-vegetarian
Age: 36 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Jean Moulin High School, Bron, France
College/University: Did not attend
Educational Qualification: High School
FIFA World Cup qualification: 22
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height: 6′ 1″ (185 cm)
Weight: 81 Kg (178 lbs)
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Affairs/Girlfriends: • Jenifer Yael (2012) • Analicia Chavez (2015) • Rihanna (2015) • Chloé de Launay • Cora Gauthier • Jordan Ozuna (2022-present)
Children: Son – 3 • Ibrahim (born in 2017, from Cora Gauthier) • Nouri (born in 2019, from Chloe de Launay) • Son born in 2023 (from Jordan Ozuna) Daughter – Melia (born in 2014, from Chloe de Launay)
Parents: Father – Hafid Mother – Wahida Djebbara
Siblings: Brother – 3 • Gressy Benzema • Sabri Benzema • Farid Benzema Sister – 5 • Lydia Benzema • Nafissa Benzema • Sofia Benzema • Laeticia Benzema • Celia Benzema Note: He is sixth of nine siblings.
Girlfriend: Jordan Ozuna
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Club – On 15 January 2005 for Lyon against FC Metz International – On 28 March 2007 against Austria
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • 2006: French Rookie of the Year • 2007–2008: Étoile d’Or • 2007, 2008: Golden Lion for the best Lyon sportsman • 2007–2008: UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year • 2008: Bravo Award • 2011, 2012, 2014, 2021: French Player of the Year • 2015–2016, 2018–2019, 2019–2020, 2021–2022: Real Madrid Player of the Season (voted by supporters) • 2018–2019, 2019–2020, 2020–2021, 2021–2022, 2022–2023: Named in La Liga Team of the Season • 2019–2020: UEFA La Liga Team of the Season • 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023: UNFP Best French Player Playing Abroad • 2019-2020, 2021-2022: La Liga Player of the Season • 2019–2020, 2020–2021, 2021–2022: La Liga Best Player (voted by Marca fans) • 2019–2020, 2021–2022: Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano • 2020–2021, 2021–2022: UEFA Champions League Team of the Season • 2020–2021, 2021–2022: Named in ESM Team of the Year • 2020-2021, 2021-2022: Onze d’Or • 2020, 2021, 2022: Named in L’Équipe’s Team of the Year • 2020: UEFA European Championship Bronze Boot • 2021: UEFA Nations League Finals Bronze Boot • 2021–2022: Pichichi Trophy • 2021: UEFA Nations League Finals Goal of the Tournament • 2021-2022: UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award • 2021–2022: UEFA Champions League Player of the Season • 2022: Ballon d’Or • 2022: Golden Player Man Award • 2022: Madrid Sports Press Association Award (APDM) • 2022: Named in FIFA FIFPRO World 11 • 2022: Named in IFFHS Men’s World Team • 2022: Globe Soccer Awards Men’s Player of the Year Award • 2023: Marca Leyenda Award
MONEY FACTOR
Car Collection: • Bugatti Chiron (£2.5 million) • Bugatti Veyron (£1.5 million) • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (£750,000) • Ferrari 458 Spider (£200,000) • Rolls Royce Wraith (£250,000) • Lamborghini Aventador ($425,000) • Audi RS6 Avant C7 ($100,000) • Mercedes-AMG G63 ($150,000) • Rolls Royce Cullinan • Audi Q5 • Lamborghini Gallardo • Lamborghini Urus ($200,000) Note: His car collection costs more than 10 million dollars.
Salary/Income (approx.): $106 million (as of 2024) Note: This income includes $100 million from club salary and $6 million from brand endorsements.
Assets/Properties: • Luxury home in Madrid’s La Finca district ($9 million) • Versace Mansion, Miami ($41.5 million)
Net Worth (approx.): $185 million (as of 2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Last Match: International – On 13 June 2022 against Croatia
Retirement: International – 19 December 2022
Jersey Number: #44, later #19 & #10 (Olympique Lyon) #9 (Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad Club) #10, later #19 (France)
Domestic/State Team: • AS Des Buers Villeurbanne (1993–1996) • Bron (1996–1997) • Lyon (1997–2009) • Real Madrid (2009–2023) • Al-Ittihad (2023–present)
Coach/Mentor: • Frederic Rigolet • Robert Valette • Zinedine Zidane
Position: Striker
Records: • Sixth-highest all-time top goalscorer for France (37 goals in 97 matches) • Fifth French player and third-oldest winner of Ballon d’Or (at the age of 34 years and 302 days) • First player to score in 17 consecutive Champions League seasons • Most decorated French footballer in history (27 titles) • Oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick (at the age of 34 years and 108 days old) (on 6 April 2022 against Chelsea) • First player to hit a Champions League hat-trick against Chelsea (on 6 April 2022) • Most goals by a French player in competitive football • Guinness World Record Holder for playing in the most consecutive seasons in the UEFA Champions League (in 2022) • First French player to win the Champions League five times (with Real Madrid) • Most Goals by a French footballer in a single Champions League season (11 goals in 2021-2022 season) • Fastest Goal in Saudi Super Cup (on 8 April 2024 for Al Ittihad against Al Wehda after 55 seconds) • Second player (after Cristiano Ronaldo) to score back-to-back hat-tricks in successive Champions League knockout matches
Citizenship: • French • Algerian
Hobbies: • Travelling • Playing videos games on PlayStation
Social Media: • Instagram • Facebook • YouTube • Twitter
Rapper: Rohff
Footballer(s): Ronaldo (Brazil), Zinedine Zidane
Food: Couscous
Racer: Valentino Rossi
Actor: Denzel Washington
Film Genres: Gangster films
Holiday Destination: Ibiza, Los Angeles
Jet/Yacht Collection: • Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen 2 ($13 million) • Azimut Grande 35 Metri super yacht ($7 million)
Watch Collection: • Rolex GMT Master II Rootbeer Rose Gold 126715CHNR ($55,000) • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ($200,000) • Richard Mille 055 Yas Marina ($690,000) • Richard Mille 055 Bubba Watson ($400,000) • Rolex Day Date 36 ($60,000) • Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ($188,000) • Rolex Daytona ($30,000) • Rolex GMT Master II Sprite ($39,000) • Richard Mille 65-01 ($540,000) • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Rainbow’ Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15412BC ($700,000) • Rolex Daytona with a Meteorite Dial 116518LN ($106,000) • Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR ‘Batman’ ($10,550) Note: Benzema’s watch collection is worth more than 6-7 million dollars.
Competition: Appearances
FIFA World Cup: 5
Friendlies: 43
European Qualifiers: 12
EURO: 10
UEFA Nations League: 5
Total: 97
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Karim Benzema’s journey into the world of football is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of his family history. His grandfather, Da Lakehal Benzema, migrated from the village of Tigzirt in Algeria to Lyon, France, in 1950, laying the foundation for a life that would culminate in international stardom. His father, Hafid, was also born in Tigzirt, while his mother, Wahida Djebbara, spent her formative years in Lyon. Growing up in the Terraillon area of Bron, a suburb known for its immigrant community and higher crime rates, Benzema’s childhood was shaped by a mix of challenges and aspirations. It was in this environment that young Karim began to hone his skills, showcasing his talent during an under-10 match against the prestigious Lyon Youth Academy, where he scored two goals, leading his team to victory. This impressive display caught the attention of Lyon officials, who quickly approached his father to secure his enrollment in their academy.
Joining the Lyon Academy, Benzema faced the dual challenges of overcoming his initial lack of confidence and adjusting to the rigors of competitive training. Despite being a bit chubby when he first arrived, he remained shy and avoided the spotlight. At the age of 15, he transitioned to Tola Vologe, a boarding house accommodating academy players, where he started to show signs of hard work and determination. By the age of 16, he was impressing coaches with his commitment, spending off-seasons boxing and training in the gym. His talent was undeniable; he scored an impressive 38 goals in the Championnat National des 16 ans, the Under-16 French domestic league, and became the highest goalscorer for Lyon’s reserve team during the 2004-2005 season. In December 2004, he proudly represented France’s Under-17 team that clinched the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, marking the beginning of a promising career.
Benzema’s rise through the ranks at Lyon saw him debut for the senior team in 2004, alongside renowned players like Michael Essien and Eric Abidal. His initial days were not without ridicule, as he faced teasing during training, prompting him to assert himself by stating he was there to earn his place. In January 2005, he signed his first professional contract with Lyon, which marked the beginning of an illustrious career. Benzema continued to impress with his goal-scoring prowess, becoming the highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 for the 2007-2008 season and contributing to Lyon’s dominance in French football by helping them secure four consecutive Ligue 1 titles. His notable achievements included a significant contract extension with the club in 2008 and his professional debut in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored his first goal against Rosenborg in December 2005.
In July 2009, Benzema made a pivotal move to Real Madrid, signing for an initial fee of €35 million. This transfer ushered in a new chapter as he struggled initially with the language barrier and the weight of expectations under manager José Mourinho. However, he persevered and completed his 100th professional goal in March 2011. Over the years, he became a critical player for the club, forming a formidable attacking trio known as BBC with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. His commitment to fitness and performance saw him extend his contract with Real Madrid multiple times, becoming the club’s second-highest all-time goalscorer by 2022. Simultaneously, he represented France in major tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2020, despite facing personal controversies that led to a hiatus from international duty.
Benzema’s life off the pitch is equally compelling. He is known for his love of animals, particularly exotic species, and enjoys a lavish lifestyle that includes fast cars and a penchant for nightlife. Despite his celebrity status, he remains grounded, often seen walking through his neighborhood without bodyguards and taking care of his family’s economic needs. His business acumen extends beyond football, with several ventures and a dedication to charity work, including serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. As he transitioned to the Saudi Professional League in 2023, Benzema’s career continues to be marked by success, controversy, and an undeniable talent that has drawn comparisons to legends like Zinedine Zidane, ensuring his legacy in the world of football remains impactful and inspiring.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.