Karim Benzema was born in Lyon, France on 19 December 1987 to a
working class family originally from northern Algeria; roots that defined his
mature yet simple character. The early days of his life as a footballer began
at the age of 9 with Olympique Lyonnais, a club he had never left until signing
for Real Madrid. He was one of the youth system’s most outstanding players and
scored 38 goals in one season with the Under-16 side followed by the UEFA
European Under-17 title with France in 2004. He debuted with Lyon’s first team
on 15 January 2005 against Metz. Although he did not score, he did provide an
assist to Bryan Bergougnoux, who scored the winning goal. Despite the fact that
Benzema had been crowned champion of Europe, club staff didn’t want to rush the
player’s development and only played him in six matches that season. He did
however go on to score 12 goals in 14 matches with France’s Under-18 side.
The following year he played in 13 matches, scored one goal and
made his Champions League debut against Rosenborg. He played in 21 matches and
scored five goals in 2006/07, but Benzema really exploded onto the scene in
2007/08. Lyon won the Ligue 1 title for the seventh straight year as well as
the Coupe de France. It was also the year he debuted with the French national
team. On 28 March 2007 Benzema suited up for Les Bleus against Austria and
scored his first international goal. The major thorn in his side was the 2008
Euro after France fell in the opening round. This season was especially
bittersweet for the striker. His coach kept him on a relatively tight leash,
allowing Benzema to score just 17 goals in 36 matches. Despite being eliminated
by Barcelona in the Last 16 of the Champions League, Benzema did manage to
score five goals in Europe’s top competition.
Benzema’s football is based on tremendous strength, his wicked
moves, unlimited ball skills and a superb strike. The Madridista striker is
intelligent and dominates every facet of what his position demands. He is an
animal inside the box when his team needs him and he is the perfect man to
initiate a counter-attack when his teammates feel pressured.
Personal
According
to Olympique Lyonnais tradition, every new player must say a few words to his
new teammates. When it was Karim's turn to direct himself at his teammates,
rather than taking offense to the jokes from veterans like Elber,
Wiltord anr Mahamadou Diarra, he limited himself to saying, "Don't
laugh. I am here to steal your spot!" A statement showing his true
intentions and that stunned the dressing room.
Honour
·
La
Liga: 2011/12
·
Copa
del Rey: 2011
·
Ligue
1: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
·
Coupe
de France: 2008
·
Trophée
de Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007
Career
·
Olympique
Lyonnais (2004-2009)
·
Real
Madrid (2009-present)
·
International
for France
Source : http://www.realmadrid.com
