Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema

Benzema playing for Real Madrid in 2015
Personal information
Full name Karim Mostafa Benzema[1]
Date of birth (1987-12-19) 19 December 1987
Place of birth Lyon, France
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Real Madrid
Number 9
Youth career
1996–2005 Lyon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Lyon B 20 (15)
2004–2009 Lyon 112 (43)
2009– Real Madrid 226 (115)
National team‡
2004 France U17 4 (1)
2004–2005 France U18 17 (14)
2005–2006 France U19 9 (5)
2006 France U21 5 (0)
2007– France 81 (27)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:09, 3 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2015

Karim Mostafa Benzema (born 19 December 1987) is a French professional footballer of Algerian descent who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and the France national team as a striker.[3] He has been described as an "immensely talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box".[4]

Benzema was born in the city of Lyon and began his football career with local club Bron Terraillon. In 1996, he joined the biggest club in the city, Olympique Lyonnais, and subsequently came through the club's youth academy. Benzema made his professional debut in the 2004–05 season and appeared sporadically in his first three seasons as Lyon won three titles in that span. 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. For his performances, he was named the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) Ligue 1 Player of the Year and named to the organization's Team of the Year. Benzema was also the league's top scorer and given the Bravo Award by Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo. After another season at Lyon, in July 2009, Benzema moved to Real Madrid in a transfer fee worth over €35 million ($50 million), and signed a six-year contract.[5] After struggling to establish himself in his debut season with the club, in the ensuing two seasons, Benzema reached prominence, scoring 32 goals en route to helping Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the 2011–12 edition of La Liga. He has been named French Player of the Year thrice for his performances in 2011, 2012 and 2014.[6][7]

Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards. Prior to playing for the senior team, he played on the under-17 team that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Benzema made his senior international debut in March 2007 in a friendly match against Austria, scoring in a 1–0 win. Benzema has earned over 80 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments: the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, Benzema has twice been intentionally left off major tournament squads (2010 World Cup and 2016 Euros) due to various scandals.

Club career

Early career

Benzema began his football career at his hometown club Bron Terraillon SC at the age of eight. While at the club, he was nicknamed Coco by friends and, after scoring two goals in an under-10 match against the Lyon youth academy, began attracting attention from the biggest club in the city.[8][9] According to Serge Santa Cruz, who was president of Bron Terraillon in the 1990s, Lyon officials had visited him directly in an attempt to sign the youngster; however, Santa Cruz refused.[10] After talking with Benzema's father, the club allowed the player to undergo a trial with Lyon.[10] Following the trial, Benzema officially joined Lyon and was inserted into the club's academy.[11]

Lyon

Benzema quickly ascended up the youth categories in the academy. He served as a ballboy during Lyon senior team matches and performed well in school being described as a student who was "discreet and respectful".[10][12] At under-16 level, Benzema scored 38 goals in the Championnat National des 16 ans, the domestic league for under-16 youth players in France.[13] Ahead of the 2004–05 season, Benzema was promoted to the club's reserve team, which was playing in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Despite only playing with the team during the autumn campaign, he scored a team-high ten goals as the Lyon reserve team finished second in its group.[14]

2004–2007

Benzema was called up to the senior team for the first time under manager Paul Le Guen during the break leading up to the second half of the season. As is customary with new players arriving at Lyon, the young striker had to stand up and speak to his new teammates, which at that time included the likes of Michael Essien, Sylvain Wiltord, Florent Malouda and Éric Abidal.[15] While speaking, Benzema was subjected to jokes and laughter, which prompted the youngster to declare "Do not laugh, I'm here to take your place".[15] He, subsequently, made his professional debut on 15 January 2005 against Metz, appearing as a substitute for Pierre-Alain Frau. Lyon won the match 2–0 as Benzema provided the assist on the second goal scored by Bryan Bergougnoux.[9][16] He would subsequently sign his first professional contract, agreeing to a three-year deal.[17] After making three more appearances as a substitute, on 2 April, Benzema made his first professional start in a 1–0 win over Lens.[18] He finished the campaign with six appearances as Lyon won its fourth-straight league title.

Benzema began the 2005–06 season under the tutelage of new manager Gérard Houllier. Under Houllier, he struggled for meaningful minutes due to the presence of newly signed Brazilian striker Fred, as well as Sylvain Wiltord. Benzema made his season debut on 2 October 2005 in a league win over Rennes, appearing as a substitute.[19] On 6 December, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in Lyon's final group stage match against Norwegian club Rosenborg. On his competition debut, he scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 win.[20] A month later, Benzema scored his first professional double in a 4–0 win over Grenoble in the Coupe de France.[21] On 4 March 2006, Benzema scored his first professional league goal against Ajaccio in a 3–1 win.[22]

Benzema began earning more playing time in the 2006–07 season and made his competitive season debut in the 2006 Trophée des Champions against Paris Saint-Germain. In the French Supercup, Benzema converted a penalty which drew the match at 1–1. Lyon later won the league curtain-raiser 5–4 on penalties.[23] Benzema opened the league campaign on a quick note scoring in the team's first match of the season against Nantes.[24] Three weeks later, on 26 August 2006, Benzema appeared as a substitute and scored two goals in a 4–1 away win over Nice.[25] He also converted two goals in the Champions League group stage against Romanian outfit Steaua București and Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv.[26][27] After appearing regularly during the autumn campaign, on 10 November, Benzema suffered a severe thigh injury.[28] The injury resulted in the striker missing three months of action before returning in February 2007. Benzema failed to score a goal until the final league match of the season against Nantes as Lyon recorded its sixth consecutive league title.[29]

2007–08 season

For the 2007–08 season, with the likes of Florent Malouda, John Carew and Sylvain Wiltord all departing from the club, Benzema switched to the number 10 shirt and was inserted into the lead striker role. After forming a special relationship with new manager Alain Perrin, he responded with 31 goals in 51 games. He topped the league with 20 goals, scored four goals in the Champions League, one in the Coupe de la Ligue and totaled six goals in six Coupe de France matches, helping Lyon win their first ever double.[30] Some of his more dazzling performances that season included a hat-trick against Metz on 15 September,[31] an equalizing goal in the 90th minute from a free kick against Derby du Rhône rivals Saint-Étienne,[32] and a goal against Lens that was nominated for goal of the season by fans.[33]

In the Champions League, Benzema scored an important double against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium on the last match day of the group stage. The 3–0 victory assured Lyon progression to the knockout rounds.[34] In the knockout rounds, Lyon faced Manchester United and Benzema continued to score, this time it was from outside the penalty box in the first leg match which ended in a 1–1 draw[35] and United eventually won the tie 1–2 on aggregate. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and players praised Benzema for his performance.[36] Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas later accused Ferguson of tapping-up Benzema.[37][38]

"It's a compliment to be compared to Zinedine Zidane, but we are different players."

—Benzema in 2008 after being compared to his French compatriot Zidane.[39]

On 13 March 2008, Benzema extended his contract with Lyon until 2013 with a one-year extension option.[40] After signing his new contract, Benzema became one of the highest paid footballers in France.[41] For his efforts that season, he was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year, selected to the Team of the Year and awarded the Trophée du Meilleur Buteur for being the league's top scorer.[42][43] He was also shortlisted by French magazine France Football for the 2008 Ballon d'Or award,[44] eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo.

2008–09 season

Benzema got off to a good start for the 2008–09 season, scoring twice in Lyon's opening league match against Toulouse.[45] The following three weeks, he scored goals against Rhône-Alpes rivals Grenoble[46] and Saint-Étienne[47] and scored a goal against Nice, converting a penalty in the dying seconds.[48] Lyon won all three matches. As a result of his early goals, Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas quelled the many transfer rumors surrounding Benzema by placing a €100 million price tag on the striker. He was also nominated alongside Franck Ribéry to be featured on the French cover of the video game FIFA 09.[49]

Benzema during a training session with Lyon

He scored his seventh goal of the league on 29 October, scoring in the 2–0 win over Sochaux. Benzema scored again the following weekend in a 2–0 win over Le Mans.[50] He was among the top scorers in the Champions League group stage, scoring five goals,[51] a double against Steaua București,[52] two goals in two matches against Fiorentina,[53][54] and a goal against the eventual group winners Bayern Munich on the final match day.[55]

Following the winter break, Benzema endured a rough patch going scoreless the first three games before recording his 11th goal of the season against Nice in a 3–1 victory.[56] Two weeks later, he scored his 12th goal against Nancy in a 2–0 victory.[57] The next nine matches, both Benzema and Lyon's form dwindled losing four matches, drawing three, and winning only two with Benzema scoring only two goals in that stretch, both of them against Le Mans in a 3–1 victory.[58] The bad form resulted in Lyon losing their grip on first-place position and eventually falling out of the title race, thus ending their streak of seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles.[59] Benzema was a part of four of those title runs.

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.[60] He scored his 17th goal the following weekend against Caen in a 3–1 victory moving him into third place among Ligue 1 top scorers.[61]

Real Madrid

2009–10 season

Benzema participating in his first pre-season with Real Madrid

On 1 July 2009, it was announced that Lyon had reached an agreement with Spanish club Real Madrid for the transfer of Benzema. The transfer fee was priced at €35 million with the fee rising to as much as €41 million based on incentives.[62][63][64][65] On 9 July, Benzema successfully passed his medical and signed his contract, a six-year deal, later that afternoon.[66] He was presented officially as a Real Madrid player later that night at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, similarly to the previous signings of Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo.[67] Benzema made his Real Madrid debut on 20 July in the club's opening pre-season friendly against Irish club Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, appearing as a half-time substitute.[68] He scored the lone goal in the club's 1–0 win, scoring in the 87th minute.[69] 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.[70] The goals brought his total tally in the pre-season with Real Madrid to five, making him the joint top scorer alongside fellow striker Raúl.[71]

Benzema made his league debut for Madrid on 29 August 2009 against Deportivo La Coruña. He started the match, but was substituted out in the second half as Madrid won 3–2.[72] A month later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 victory against newly promoted Xerez.[73] After missing the mid-week match against Villarreal, against Tenerife at the weekend, Benzema scored his first double for Madrid in a 3–0 home victory.[74] He made his Champions League debut for the club on 30 September in a group stage tie against Marseille.[75] In the match, Benzema assisted on a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.[76] After failing to score a goal in the month of October, in the team's first match in November against Italian club Milan in the Champions League, Benzema scored the opener to give Madrid a 1–0 lead. His goal was later cancelled out by a Ronaldinho penalty.[77] On 7 November, in the El Derbi madrileño against Atlético Madrid, Benzema assisted on Madrid's second goal, scored by Marcelo. Madrid won the match 3–2.[78]

Benzema playing against Marseille in a 2009 Champions League match.

In late November, Benzema began appearing mainly as a substitute as manager Manuel Pellegrini preferred Gonzalo Higuaín in the lead striker role. To coincide with his benching, the striker was also being criticized by the Spanish media for his under-performance and difficulties settling in the country as he had not yet begun learning the Spanish language.[79][80] He was even declared the "new Anelka" by a Spanish newspaper Marca blogger, referring to former Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka who had a tumultuous year at the club before being sold.[81] Benzema was defended by his compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who admitted "after two months, I was also criticized" and that Benzema was "a talented player and talented players in Madrid must win".[82]

On 5 December, Benzema appeared as a substitute for Rafael van der Vaart and scored the third goal in a 6–0 romp of Almería.[83] The day after the match against Almería, Benzema responded to the criticism by stating, "I am totally integrated and very happy at Real Madrid," and, "Yes, I have improved my adaptation. I have a new home and I'm learning Spanish to understand myself better with my teammates."[84] After nearly a month coming off of the bench, he started alongside Higuaín away to Valencia on 12 December and responded by assisting on one of Higuaín's two goals.[85] A week later, Benzema returned to the bench. On his 22nd birthday, he scored in a 6–0 home win against Real Zaragoza.[86][87] Following an injury to Higuaín in early January 2010, Pellegrini inserted Benzema back into the starting lineup.[88] After failing to score in his first two starts in the absence of Higuaín, against Deportivo La Coruña on 30 January, he scored a double in an important 3–1 away win.[89][90] Following the return of Higuaín, Benzema was relegated back to a substitute's role and finished the campaign by making eight consecutive appearances off the bench. Included in one of the those appearances was his final goal of the season against Athletic Bilbao in a 5–1 win.[91]

2010–11 season

Benzema playing in a league match against Villarreal

Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Benzema switched to the number nine shirt as Real Madrid were under the tutelage of new incoming manager José Mourinho. The striker immediately drew the ire of Mourinho who declared to reporters during a pre-season media session that "Benzema must understand that he is extremely talented, but that in itself is not enough", while also stating that "[Madrid] need a striker who is sparky, not one that is listless".[92] Mourinho sentiments were later echoed by incoming France national team coach Laurent Blanc who acknowledged that Benzema was "not used to working".[93] Blanc also stated that the striker needed to shed weight in order to fulfill his potential.[94]

Due to Mourinho preferring Ronaldo and Higuaín as his forwards,[93] Benzema began the campaign as a substitute coming off the bench in the team's opening league match of the season against Mallorca.[95] Following the September international break, he made his first start in a 1–0 win over Osasuna.[96] On 21 September, Benzema made a substitute appearance and scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 home win against Espanyol.[97] Afterwards, the striker failed to score a domestic goal for nearly two months. The striker did assist on goals in back-to-back weeks against Hércules in the league and Milan in the Champions League.[98][99]

Benzema celebrating a goal against Espanyol.

On 10 November, Benzema scored his second goal of the campaign against Real Murcia in the 2010–11 edition of the Copa del Rey.[100] In late November, Benzema was inserted into the starting eleven following a severe back injury to Higuaín, along with the team's lack of senior strikers. In his first match since being inserted into the starting lineup permanently, he scored his first Champions League goal of the season in a group stage fixture against Dutch club Ajax.[101] In Madrid's final group stage tie against French outfit Auxerre, Benzema scored his first hat trick for the club in a 4–0 win. The first goal he scored was Real Madrid's 300th goal in the Champions League era.[102][103] Two weeks later, Benzema converted another hat trick, this time in an 8–0 thrashing of Levante in the Copa del Rey.[104] In the team's first fixture of the 2011 calendar year, he assisted on the game-winning goal scored by Ronaldo in a 3–2 win over Getafe.[105] In late January, for the first time in his Real Madrid career, Benzema scored goals in back-to-back matches. On 23 January, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at home against Mallorca.[106] Three days later, Benzema repeated his efforts scoring the only goal in a win over Sevilla in the first leg of the team's Copa del Rey semi-final tie.[107] Real Madrid later advanced to its 37th Copa del Rey final in club history after beating Sevilla 2–0 in the second leg.[108]

Following the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor on loan, Benzema went unused in two consecutive league matches in February 2011. He returned to the starting lineup on 19 February and embarked on a run in which he scored ten goals in eight matches. Included in those ten goals were doubles in three straight matches against Málaga, Racing Santander and Hércules, as well as a goal in the first leg of Madrid's Round of 16 tie against former club Lyon.[109][110][111] The strike against his hometown club was the 100th goal of his professional career, and also the first goal for Real Madrid at the Stade de Gerland in six years, though despite the honours associated with netting the goal, Benzema did not celebrate out of respect for his former club.[112]

Benzema playing in a league match against Almería.

On 19 March, he scored the opener in the El Derbi madrileño as Real Madrid went on to win the match 2–1.[113] Despite his form, Benzema appeared in only one of the four highly anticipated matches against El Clásico rivals Barcelona, in which the two clubs met in the league, the 2011 Copa del Rey Final and the Champions League knockout stage. In between those clashes, on 23 April 2011, Benzema scored a goal and assisted on another in a 6–3 win over Valencia.[114] On 30 April, he scored a goal in the team's 3–2 loss to Real Zaragoza.[115] It was the only match of the campaign that Real Madrid loss, in which Benzema scored. To close out the campaign, Benzema scored another double in an 8–1 win over Almería.[116] He finished the campaign second on the team behind Ronaldo with 26 goals as Real Madrid captured the Copa del Rey giving Benzema his first honour with the club.[117] For his performances during the campaign, particularly during the second half, Benzema was praised by Mourinho, club officials Florentino Pérez and Emilio Butragueño, as well as national team manager Laurent Blanc.[118][119][120]

2011–12 season

Prior to the start of the 2011–12 season, Benzema, taking the advice of compatriots Blanc and Zidane,[121][122] ventured to Merano, Italy, to attend a high performance clinic where he underwent treatment to reduce his weight.[123] The spell at the clinic was ultimately a success after the striker arrived at pre-season 8 kilograms (18 lb) lighter.[123] While at the clinic, Benzema also underwent physical training to build up his muscle mass.[123] The striker was impressive in the pre-season scoring eight goals in seven matches.[124] His performances during the pre-season resulted in Mourinho naming him the starting lead striker for the new campaign. Mourinho was later credited with Benzema's transformation,[125] but denied full responsibility and, instead, gave credit to the striker himself.[126]

Benzema made his 2011–12 competitive debut for Madrid in the first leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España against Barcelona. In the match, he started and assisted on the opening goal of the match, scored by Mesut Özil.[127] In the second leg, with Madrid trailing 4–3 on aggregate late in the match, Benzema scored the equalizing goal to even the tie at 4–4. However, six minutes later, a Lionel Messi strike gave Barcelona the supercup.[128] Benzema made his league debut for Madrid in the team's 6–0 away win over Real Zaragoza.[129] In the team's next league match two weeks later against Getafe, Benzema scored a double in a 4–2 victory.[130] After going scoreless in three consecutive league matches, he scored his third league goal of the campaign against Rayo Vallecano in a 4–2 win.[131] In the team's ensuing match against Ajax in the Champions League, Benzema scored Madrid's third goal in a 3–0 home win.[132] He also assisted on the opener, which was scored by Ronaldo.[133] In the club's next Champions League match against Lyon, Benzema scored again netting the opener. He also turned provider for the second consecutive match assisting on a goal by Sami Khedira.[134] Madrid won the match 4–0.[135]

"Benzema deserves full credit for his transformation. He had some help from me, from his teammates and from Zizou, but he deserves the credit."

—José Mourinho, on Benzema's successful progression in 2011.[126]

In November 2011, Benzema scored five goals; three in the league and two in Europe. In the league, he converted his three goals in wins over Osasuna and Valencia, while he scored his two Champions League goals in a 6–2 group stage win over Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb.[136][137][138] On 10 December 2011, Benzema scored the opener in Madrid's 3–1 defeat to Barcelona in the El Clásico.[139] The goal, scored just 21 seconds into the match, was the fastest goal ever scored in a match between the two rivals.[140] Three days after his record-breaking goal, for his performances during the 2011 calendar year, Benzema was named the France Football French Player of the Year, beating out Barcelona defender Éric Abidal and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.[141] He became only the second French player based in Spain to win the award, and also the second Real Madrid player to capture it. Zidane was the first to achieve both honorable mentions. Benzema expressed gratitude at winning the award, stating, "It is a pleasure to win an individual trophy. When I see the previous winners — Zidane, Henry and other major players — it makes me proud to join them on the list."[142] In the team's next match after winning the award, against Sevilla, Benzema assisted on two goals in a 6–2 triumph.[143]

Benzema training ahead of a Champions League match in 2012.

Benzema opened the 2012 portion of the campaign in positive form. He scored goals against Granada and Málaga.[144] Benzema scored against the latter club in the Copa del Rey in each leg of the Round of 16.[145][146] The 4–2 aggregate win advanced Real Madrid to the quarter-finals where the club faced Barcelona. After failing to score in the first leg, which ended 2–1 in favor of Barça,[147] in the second leg on 25 January 2012, Benzema scored his third goal of the season against the Blaugrana, but Madrid failed to win the tie losing 4–3 on aggregate.[148] On 12 February, Benzema scored his first league goal in over a month against Levante.[149] A week later, he scored a double in a 4–0 shutout of Racing Santander.[150] On 24 March, Benzema scored two goals in a league win over Real Sociedad.[151] The two goals made him the top French scorer in La Liga history surpassing Zidane.[152] Three days later, Benzema scored another double in a 3–0 first leg away win over Cypriot club APOEL in the Champions League quarter-finals.[153] On 29 April, Benzema put in a masterpiece performance scoring two goals and assisting on another in a 3–0 win over Sevilla. The double was his seventh of the season and allowed Madrid to close in on its first Primera Division title in four years.[154] Los Blancos captured their 32nd league title the following week cruising to a 3–0 win over Athletic Bilbao.[155] Benzema appeared as a second-half substitute in the match.[156]

2012–13 season

On the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League, Benzema scored an equalizer against Manchester City in 3–2 win at Santiago Bernabéu. On 4 October 2012, Benzema scored a bicycle kick goal off a cross by Kaká in a 4–1 win against Ajax in Amsterdam.[157] On 18 December 2012, one day before his 25th birthday, his fine form saw him earn the award for best French footballer of 2012, for the second year running.[158]

On 2 March 2013, Benzema opened the scoring against Barcelona in the league game at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real went on to win the game 2–1, the second time they beat Barcelona in a week. On 30 April 2013, Benzema scored one goal and assisted to Sergio Ramos against Dortmund.[159]

2013–14 season

Benzema started new season by scoring in a 2–1 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu.[160] He scored again one week later in a 1–0 away over Granada, assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.[161] After four matches without scoring (two with Real Madrid and two with France), he returned to goal-scoring form by netting twice in a 6–1 away win over Galatasaray in Champions League.[162] On 18 January 2014, he scored his 100th goal for Madrid in a 5–0 victory at Real Betis.[163] On 23 March, Benzema scored two goals against fierce rivals Barcelona in El Clásico at the Bernabéu from two crosses by Ángel Di María, taking his goal tally in La Liga to 17 goals, though Barcelona won the match 4–3.[164]

Benzema was part of Real Madrid's starting eleven in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final on 16 April at the Mestalla Stadium, and assisted Di María's opening goal before Gareth Bale hit the winner for Madrid in a 2–1 victory.[165] One week later, Benzema scored the only goal of the game to win the first leg of a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.[166] The club went on to win the final in May. Real Madrid's attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano, dubbed "BBC", finished the season with 97 goals.[167]

2014–15 season

On 6 August 2014, Real Madrid announced that Benzema had signed a new five-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2019.[168] On 12 August 2014, Benzema played the whole 90 minutes in Real Madrid's 2–0 win against Sevilla in Cardiff to claim the UEFA Super Cup.

On 16 September 2014, Benzema scored Real Madrid's 1,000th goal in European competition after netting a goal in a 5–1 victory over FC Basel in the first match of the Champions League group stage.[169] He scored the winning goal in Real Madrid's 2–1 away victory against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League after coming on as a second-half substitute.[170] The next weekend, he scored a brace in the 5–0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.[171]

Benzema was chosen as La Liga Player of the Month for October 2014, with his manager Carlo Ancelotti winning the equivalent award. He scored three of Real Madrid's 13 goals of the month, in which they won three matches and only conceded just one goal.[172]

2015–16 season

Benzema scored a hatrick in an 8–0 thrashing against Malmö FF on 8 December 2015.[173] On 20 December 2015, he scored another hatrick in a 10–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano.[174]

He was a regular starter when the team won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.[175]

International career

Youth

Benzema is a former France youth international having earned caps at all levels for which he was eligible, excluding the under-16 team. He is a member of the group, commonly known in France as the Génération 1987, a youth class that produced current internationals Hatem Ben Arfa, Jérémy Ménez and Samir Nasri, alongside himself.[176] Benzema was the last of the four to make his youth international debut under coach Philippe Bergeroo and officially joined the team ahead of the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship that was played on home soil. In the competition, he appeared in two matches. On his tournament debut, Benzema scored the opening goal in a 3–1 win over Northern Ireland.[177] His lone other appearance in the competition was in a 1–0 group stage win over Spain as France went on to win the tournament defeated the same team in the final.[178][179]

Benzema was a regular starter in the team at under-18 level. He made his debut with the team at a local tournament in the Czech Republic. Benzema scored his first goal at under-18 level in the competition against Poland in the team's final group stage match.[180] In the final against the hosts, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win as France were declared champions of the competition.[181] On 30 September 2004, Benzema was one of three goalscorers in France's 3–0 away win over Norway.[182] In the team's next match against Russia, he scored a double in a 3–1 victory.[183] Due to France winning the 2004 U17 European title, the under-18 team was allowed participation in the 2005 edition of the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup. Benzema was called up to the team for the competition and played in all four matches scoring a tournament-high five goals as France were crowned champions of the tournament.[184] He opened the tournament by scoring two goals in a 7–0 victory over Cameroon.[185] After going scoreless in the team's next match against Sierra Leone, Benzema responded by scoring a goal in a shutout victory over Nigeria and netting another double in a 4–1 win against Egypt.[186][187] On 19 May 2005, in the team's final match of the season against Slovakia, Benzema scored all four goals in a 4–1 victory.[188] He finished the under-18 campaign with 18 appearances and a team-high 14 goals and was, subsequently, praised by Bergeroo who, following the campaign, declared that Benzema was "quite efficient".[189]

The foursome of Benzema, Ben Arfa, Ménez and Nasri returned to international play together for under-19 duty. The four were joined by Issiar Dia, Blaise Matuidi and Serge Gakpé with the objective of winning the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. The team opened the campaign with two friendly matches against Norway. Over the course of the two matches, Benzema scored one goal, which came in the first match, a 4–0 win.[190] In the first round of qualification for the UEFA-sanctioned tournament, he scored his only goal in the final group match against Austria.[191] France won the match 2–0, which resulted in the team progressing to the Elite Round.[192] In the ensuing round, France were placed in a relatively easy group alongside Scotland, Bulgaria, and Belarus. In the opening group game against Bulgaria, Benzema scored a double converting a penalty and scoring in play as France won 4–0.[193] Both of his goals were scored within a minute of each other.[194] After surprisingly drawing 0–0 with Belarus, France faced Scotland in the final group stage match. Benzema opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but his goal was cancelled out by Steven Fletcher in the second half.[195] The match ultimately finished 1–1 and, despite finishing the round undefeated, France were eliminated after being beaten on points by the Scots.[196]

Benzema made his under-21 debut for Les Espoirs under coach René Girard in the team's first match following the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship against Belgium. He started the match and was replaced at half-time by Yoann Gourcuff.[197] He featured in qualification matches for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and appeared as a starter and substitute in the first leg and second leg, respectively, of the team's surprising defeat to Israel in the qualifying playoffs.[198][199][200][201] Despite still being eligible to represent the under-21 team until 2009, his appearance in the second leg defeat to Israel was Benzema's last with the team and he finished his under-21 career with five appearances and no goals. Prior to representing France at senior international level, Benzema was courted by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) who sought for the player to represent Algeria at senior international level. In December 2006, the striker was approached by former federation president Hamid Haddadj and then-national team coach Jean-Michel Cavalli, but turned down the invite citing his desire to continue his international career with France.[202] Benzema later told French radio station Radio Monte Carlo "Algeria is my parents’ country and it is in my heart, but football-wise, I will only play for the French national team".[203]

Senior

Euro 2008

Benzema playing for France in April 2008

Benzema was called up for the first time to the senior national team by Raymond Domenech on 9 November 2006 for the team's friendly match against Greece that would be played on 15 November. Benzema described the call-up as "a reward", while also stating "I am pleased, of course, me and my family. A (the senior national team), is the national team's highest honor".[204] Two days before the match, he was forced to withdraw from the team due to a thigh injury, which he suffered while playing domestically for Lyon.[205] After failing to make the squad for the team's February 2007 match against Argentina, Benzema returned to the team in March for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Lithuania and a friendly against Austria.[206] After failing to appear in the qualifier, he made his international debut on 28 March 2007 against Austria. Benzema appeared as a half-time substitute for Djibril Cissé and scored the only goal of the match after a free-kick from Samir Nasri.[207] On 13 October, Benzema scored a double in a 6–0 win against the Faroe Islands.[208] After appearing regularly in the team for the rest of the 2007–08 season, he was named to the 23-man squad to participate in UEFA Euro 2008.

Benzema made his debut in the competition on 9 June 2008 in the team's opening match against Romania. Benzema started the match, but was substituted out for Nasri in the second half after a frustrating performance.[209] The match finished 0–0 and Benzema was, subsequently, criticized by the French media for his performance with newspaper Le Point declaring that Benzema was "unrecognizable" and that he "symbolized the impotence of France in the attack".[210] The newspaper also cited his lack of international experience for his subdued performance. In the team's next group game against the Netherlands, Benzema played no part in the 4–1 defeat.[211] He returned to the team in its final group game against Italy and was given a place in the starting lineup.[212] However, France lost 2–0 and were eliminated from the competition.[213]

In November 2008, Benzema, among several other young players in the team, was accused of being insolent during the team's campaign at the European Championship. The accusation came from international teammate William Gallas who inserted the charge in his autobiography. Though most of Gallas' accusations were directed at Nasri,[214][215][216] during the competition, it was reported by newspaper Le Parisien that several of the national team players described Benzema as "arrogant" and that the striker was scolded by midfielder Claude Makélélé following the team's loss to the Netherlands.[217]

2010 World Cup

Despite the reports from after Euro 2008, Benzema remained a regular in the team and, ahead of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, switched to the number ten shirt after previously wearing the number nine.[218] In the team's first match following its elimination from Euro 2008, Benzema scored a goal in a 3–2 friendly win over Sweden in Gothenburg.[219] Two months later, he scored another goal in a 3–1 victory against Tunisia at the Stade de France.[220] On 5 June 2009, Benzema converted the only goal of the match, a penalty shot, in a 1–0 win over Turkey at the Stade de Gerland, his home stadium.[221] He scored his first World Cup qualification goals in victories over the Faroe Islands and Austria in October 2009. His cap against Austria would be his last of the Domenech era as he failed to make France's preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup. Domenech cited Benzema's struggle for form with his new club Real Madrid, rather than his alleged involvement in a sex scandal as his reason for leaving the striker out.[222] Prior to the list being unveiled, Benzema informed Radio Monte Carlo that if he was not selected he would be "very disappointed, but not killed" and "I will support the France team no matter what".[223]

Euro 2012

Benzema playing for France at UEFA Euro 2012.

Following the World Cup, Benzema returned to the national team under the reign of new coach Laurent Blanc. Blanc, an admirer of Benzema, sought to build the attack around the striker and, after going almost a year without representing France, Benzema made his return to the team in its 2–1 defeat to Norway in Oslo.[224][225] Alongside 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.[226][227][228] On 17 November 2010, Benzema scored the opening goal in France's 2–1 win over England at Wembley Stadium.[229] In the team's next match against Brazil in February 2011, he scored the only goal for France in a 1–0 win.[230] After appearing regularly in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012, on 29 May 2012, Benzema was named to the squad to participate in the competition.[231] On 5 June, in the team's final warm-up friendly ahead of the European Championship, Benzema scored two goals in a 4–0 shutout win over Estonia.[232] At UEFA Euro 2012, Benzema started the team's opening match against England, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[233] In the team's ensuing group stage match against the Ukraine, he assisted on both team goals in a 2–0 win.[234]

2014 World Cup

On 11 October 2013, Benzema scored his first goal for the France national team since June 2012 in a friendly against Australia, thus ending a scoring drought for his national team which had lasted 1,222 minutes. In that match played at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, which France won 6–0, Benzema scored France's sixth and final goal in the 50th minute after turning home Franck Ribéry's left-wing cross.[235] In the second leg of the 2014 World Cup qualification play-off against Ukraine held on 19 November 2013 at the Stade de France, Benzema scored France's second goal in the 34th minute to level the aggregate score at 2–2. Benzema scored his goal when he side-footed home after a huge scramble in the Ukrainian penalty box, although he was shown on television replays to be offside by almost one metre when the ball took a final touch off Mathieu Valbuena's chest. Benzema had four minutes earlier been denied a legitimate goal, the offside flag wrongly raised when he turned in Ribéry's low cross into the net with his torso a metre from the Ukrainian goal-line. Ukraine had won the first leg of the play-off 2–0 in Kiev just four days earlier. France would eventually win the second leg 3–0 to advance to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil with a 3–2 aggregate scoreline.[236]

On 6 June 2014, Benzema was named in France's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, making his debut in the tournament.[237] In the team's first match, a 3–0 win against Honduras in Porto Alegre on 15 June, he scored a goal in each half, the first from a penalty kick. He also assisted the team's second goal when his shot rebounded off the post and was fumbled over the goal-line by Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares for an own goal, the first World Cup goal given by goal-line technology.[238] He was named by FIFA as man of the match for his performance.[239] In the second group fixture, he scored and had a penalty saved in a 5–2 defeat of Switzerland, as Les Bleus all but secured qualification to the knockout stage.[240] France were later knocked out by Germany in the quarter-final stage of the tournament.[241][242][243]

Euro 2016

On 13 April 2016, French Football Federation announced that Benzema would not be picked for Euro 2016 tournament on home soil.[244] He responded on 1 June 2016 in Marca, in an interview entitled 'Benzema: "Deschamps folded due to pressure from France's racist element"'.[245]

Style of play

A skillful, quick, agile, and prolific forward, who is good in the air,[246][247][248] Benzema has been described as an "immensely talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box" with both feet, despite being naturally right footed.[4] An atypical number 9, although he is usually deployed as a centre-forward, Benzema is also capable of playing in several other offensive positions, and has been used on the wing, or even behind the main striker. In addition to his goalscoring, Benzema is indeed known for his willingness and ability to drop into deeper or wider positions, and either link-up play with midfielders as a number 10, or use his strength and technical ability to hold up the ball to provide assists for teammates, courtesy of his vision, creativity, passing, and eye for the final ball.[246][249][250][251][252][253] He has also been praised for his work-rate and tactical intelligence off the ball, as well as his attacking movement as a forward, which often draws opposition defenders out of position, and in turn creates spaces for Cristiano Ronaldo to make attacking runs into the centre of the area from the left wing.[250][251][254][255]

Career statistics

Club

As of 3 December 2016[256]
Club Season League Cup1 Europe2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lyon B 2004–05 1110––1110
2005–06 95––95
Total 2015––2015
Lyon 2004–05 60000060
2005–06 1312211164
2006–07 2153132279
2007–08 362097745231
2008–09 361731854723
Total 112431711191214866
Real Madrid 2009–10 2781051339
2010–11 331575864826
2011–12 3421741175232
2012–13 30111041055020
2013–14 3517621155224
2014–15 2915501274622
2015–16 272400943628
2016–17 1140062176
Total 22611536157237334167
Career total 35817353269149502248

1Includes Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophée des Champions, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España

2Includes UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

International

As of 8 October 2015[257]
National teamYearAppsGoals
France 200783
2008112
200983
201053
2011102
2012122
2013102
2014138
201542
Total8127

Honours

Club

Lyon[258]
Real Madrid[258]

International

France[244]

Individual

Personal life

Karim Benzema was born in the city of Lyon, France to French nationals of Algerian descent.[265][266] As a practicing Muslim, he observes fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[267] His grandfather, Da Lakehal Benzema, lived in the village of Tigzirt, located in the northern town of Beni Djellil in Algeria before migrating to Lyon, where he eventually settled in the 1950s.[268] Benzema's father, Hafid, was born in Tigzirt, while his mother, Wahida Djebbara, was born and raised in Lyon; her family originated from Oran. Benzema is the third youngest in the family and grew up with eight other siblings in Bron, an eastern suburb of Lyon.[268] His younger brothers Gressy and Sabri are also footballers.[269] The former currently plies his trade at the amateur level with Vaulx-le-Velin in the Division d'Honneur, the sixth division of French football, while the latter plays in the youth academy of a club in the family's hometown of Bron.[270][271] Since establishing himself as an international footballer, Benzema has been involved in numerous promotional campaigns. Since 2008, he has regularly appeared on the cover of the French version of the annual FIFA video game. Benzema is sponsored by German sportswear company Adidas and has, subsequently, appeared in several television advertisements for the brand.

On 3 February 2014, his longtime girlfriend, Chloé de Launay, gave birth to his daughter, Mélia.[272][273]

Legal issues

On 18 April 2010, it was first reported by French television channel M6 that four members of the French national team were being investigated for their roles as clients in a prostitute ring operated inside of a Paris nightclub, with some of the women possibly being underage or transgender. The players were eventually revealed to be Franck Ribéry, Sidney Govou, Hatem Ben Arfa and Benzema.[274][275] Benzema was alleged to have had a sexual rendezvous with a prostitute when she was 16 years of age, an act Benzema denied through his lawyer.[276] On 20 July, Benzema was questioned by Paris police and indicted on the charge of "solicitation of a minor prostitute".[277][278] In November 2011, prosecutors asked for the cases against Ribéry and Benzema to be dropped, saying that the players were not aware that the escort, identified as Zahia Dehar, was 16 years old.[279] However, the case has gone on to trial. The first hearing was held in June 2013.[280]

On 4 November 2015, Benzema was arrested by French police for his alleged part in blackmailing fellow France international player Mathieu Valbuena.[281] During the investigation over the blackmail plot, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls stated, "A great athlete should be exemplary. If he is not, he has no place in the France team. There are so many kids, so many youngsters in our suburbs that relate to great athletes. They wear the blue jersey, the colours of France, which are so important in these moments."[282][283]

References

  1. ↑ "UEFA Champions League 2008/2009" (PDF). uefa.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Real Madrid C.F. – Karim Benzema". Real Madrid. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Karim Benzema: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Karim Benzema ESPN Bio". ESPN. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Benzema agrees six-year deal at Real Madrid". CNN. Retrieved 10 June 2014
  6. ↑ "Benzema, Garcia, Martin et Hazard récompensés" (in French). France Football. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Benzema, best French player of the year". RealMadrid.com. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Benzema s'attend à un match difficile contre "son équipe"". Lyon Capitale (in French). 2 November 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Benzema: la classe internationale". Lyon Capitale (in French). 18 September 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Benzema, le phénomène qui réveille le foot". Le Point (in French). 7 February 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "The Rise and Rise of Karim Benzema". Inside Futebol. 19 December 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  12. ↑ "Karim Benzema". Olympique Lyonnais (in French). Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "Benzema, un Lyonnais heureux". Union of European Football Associations (in French). 19 December 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  14. ↑ "Benzema va signer Olympique Lyonnais Reserve Pro: Saison Football 2004/2005". Stat2Foot (in French). Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Benzema, 20 ans et déjà tout d'un grand". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (in French). 24 September 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  16. ↑ "Lyon v. Metz Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 15 January 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  17. ↑ "Benzema va signer pro". L'Equipe (in French). 20 January 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  18. ↑ "Lyon v. Lens Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 2 April 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  19. ↑ "Rennes v. Lyon Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 2 October 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  20. ↑ "Fred leaves Lyon purring". Union of European Football Associations. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  21. ↑ "Grenoble v. Lyon Report". Eurosport (in French). 8 January 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  22. ↑ "Ajaccio v. Lyon Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 4 March 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  23. ↑ "Lyon v. Paris Saint-Germain Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 30 July 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  24. ↑ "Nantes v. Lyon Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 4 August 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  25. ↑ "Nice v. Lyon Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 26 August 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  26. ↑ "Lyon reprise winning formula". Union of European Football Associations. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  27. ↑ "Benzema leads Lyon into last 16". Union of European Football Associations. 1 November 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  28. ↑ "Benzema blessé". Football365 (in French). 10 November 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  29. ↑ "Lyon v. Nantes Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 26 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  30. ↑ "The Goal.com 50: Karim Benzema (14)". Goal.com. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  31. ↑ "Metz v. Lyon Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  32. ↑ "Benzema coup franc contre Saint-Etienne". YouTube. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  33. ↑ Shah, Karan (29 July 2009). "Talent Unlimited: Karim Benzema". iSport. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  34. ↑ "Lyon seal revival as Rangers slump". Union of European Football Associations. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  35. ↑ "Late Tevez goal gives United important draw against Lyon". In The News. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  36. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (28 February 2008). "United like the look of Benzema and begin their homework on Lyon's £45m striker". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  37. ↑ "Lyon chairman slams Fergie over Benzema interest". The Guardian. London. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  38. ↑ "Ferguson questions 'balance' of Wenger's transfer policy". The Guardian. London. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  39. ↑ Lyttleton, Ben (17 February 2008). "Karim Benzema keeps feet on the Lyon ground". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  40. ↑ "Benzema extends Lyon contract until 2013". ESPN. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  41. ↑ "Benzema becomes one of the highest paid footballers in France". Afrik. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  42. ↑ "Benzema lands Ligue 1 award". Sky Sports. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  43. ↑ "Benzema meilleur buteur". Football365. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  44. ↑ "Messi, Ronaldo lead Ballon d'Or short list". Cable News Network. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  45. ↑ "Lyon v. Toulouse Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 10 August 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  46. ↑ "Lyon v. Grenoble Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  47. ↑ "Saint-Etienne v. Lyon Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  48. ↑ "Lyon v. Nice Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  49. ↑ "The players to appear on FIFA 2009 game covers are revealed.". 411Mania. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  50. ↑ "Lyon 2 – 0 Le Mans". ESPN. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  51. ↑ "Top scorers". Union of European Football Associations. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  52. ↑ "Lyon prove too strong for valiant Steaua". Union of European Football Associations. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  53. ↑ "Lyon fight back denies Fiorentina". Union of European Football Associations. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  54. ↑ "Benzema leads Lyon onwards". Union of European Football Associations. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  55. ↑ "Bayern hold on to edge past Lyon". Union of European Football Associations. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  56. ↑ "Nice v. Lyon Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  57. ↑ "Nancy v. Lyon Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  58. ↑ "Le Mans v. Lyon Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  59. ↑ Lyttleton, Ben (19 May 2009). "Lyon's Karim Benzema tips the title Bordeaux's way". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  60. ↑ "Marseille 1 – 5 Lyon". ESPN. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  61. ↑ "Lyon v. Caen Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionel. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  62. ↑ Burt, Jason (1 July 2009). "Karim Benzema joins Real Madrid after snubbing Manchester United". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  63. ↑ "Transfert de Karim Benzema au Real Madrid". Olympique Lyonnais. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  64. ↑ "Forward Benzema joins Real Madrid from Lyon". ESPN FC. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  65. ↑ "Lyon accept Real Madrid offer for Benzema". CNN. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  66. ↑ "Benzema passes medical at Real Madrid", Metro, 9 July 2009, retrieved 12 March 2015
  67. ↑ "Karim Benzema Thanks Florentino Perez At Official Real Madrid Presentation", GOAL.COM, 8 July 2009, retrieved 12 March 2015
  68. ↑ "Benzema Strikes To Edge Real Madrid Past Spirited Shamrock Rovers". goal.com. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  69. ↑ "Ronaldo quiet as Rovers almost hold off Real". ESPN. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  70. ↑ "Madrid cruises past Rosenborg 4–0". thehindu.com. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  71. ↑ "Led by Benzema, Real Madrid cruises past Rosenborg 4–0 in pre-season". The Canadian Press. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  72. ↑ "Real Madrid 3–2 Deportivo La Coruña". ESPN. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  73. ↑ "Ronaldo nets twice in rout". ESPN. 20 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  74. ↑ "Madrid maintain winning start". ESPN. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  75. ↑ "Ronaldo and Kaká see off Marseille". Union of European Football Associations. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  76. ↑ "Red hot Ronaldo fires double". ESPN. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  77. ↑ "Honours even for Milan and Madrid". Union of European Football Associations. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  78. ↑ "Real edge five-goal thriller". ESPN. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  79. ↑ "Pellegrini insists Benzema is fitting in at Real". ESPN. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  80. ↑ Mitten, Andy (24 March 2011). "Benzema now Real's trump card". Yahoo!. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  81. ↑ "Benzema, el nuevo Anelka...". Marca (in Spanish). 2 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  82. ↑ "Zidane, sobre Kaká y Benzema: "A los dos meses también yo fui criticado"". Marca (in Spanish). 1 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  83. ↑ "Ronaldo endures eventful night". ESPN. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  84. ↑ "Benzema: "Estoy totalmente integrado y muy feliz en el Real Madrid"". Marca (in Spanish). 6 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  85. ↑ "Garay header secures Real win". ESPN. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  86. ↑ "Madrid power past Zaragoza". ESPN. 19 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  87. ↑ "Pellegrini 'regala' a Benzema otra suplencia por su cumpleaños". Marca (in Spanish). 19 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  88. ↑ Rob, Philips-Knight (15 January 2010). "Benzema's chance to shine". ESPN. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  89. ↑ "Primera Liga round-up". Sky Sports. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  90. ↑ "Match report: Deportivo La Coruña 1–3 Real Madrid". Real Madrid Zone. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  91. ↑ "Real take it to the wire". ESPN. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  92. ↑ "Mourinho calls on Benzema to wake up". Times of Malta. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  93. 1 2 "Mourinho plans to keep Benzema". ESPN. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  94. ↑ "Benzema finally on glory path". Namibian Sun. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  95. ↑ "Real take it to the wire". ESPN. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  96. ↑ "Carvalho rescues Mourinho". ESPN. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  97. ↑ "Madrid cruise to win". ESPN. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  98. ↑ "Ronaldo late show seals Real comeback". ESPN. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  99. ↑ "Last-ditch León takes Madrid through in Milan". Union of European Football Associations. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  100. ↑ "Real Madrid 5–1 Murcia". ESPN. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  101. ↑ "Masterful Madrid take top spot in style". Union of European Football Associations. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  102. ↑ "Madrid's Benzema leaves Auxerre rooted to the spot". Union of European Football Associations. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  103. ↑ "Real Madrid 4–0 Auxerre". ESPN. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  104. ↑ "Real Madrid 8–0 Levante". ESPN. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  105. ↑ "Kaka makes return". ESPN. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  106. ↑ "Benzema nets vital winner". ESPN. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  107. ↑ "Benzema advantage". ESPN. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  108. ↑ "Real into final". ESPN. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  109. ↑ "Pellegrini endures miserable return". ESPN. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  110. ↑ "Benzema double keeps Real hopes alive". ESPN. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  111. ↑ "Benzema bags brace". ESPN. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  112. ↑ "Gomis goal pegs back Madrid". Union of European Football Associations. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  113. ↑ "Real take derby spoils". ESPN. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  114. ↑ "Madrid continue impressive form". ESPN. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  115. ↑ "Zaragoza dent Real title dream". ESPN. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  116. ↑ "Ronaldo breaks record in rout". ESPN. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  117. ↑ "Ronaldo's late goal gives Real Madrid win over Barcelona in Copa del Rey". Guardian Media Group. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  118. ↑ "Mourinho's gripes bring Benzema back to life". The Independent. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  119. ↑ "Butragueno: Benzema 'understands' football". ESPN. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  120. ↑ "Blanc compte sur Benzema". Le Figaro. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  121. ↑ "France looks to extend unbeaten run, faces Chile in friendly". Sporting News. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  122. ↑ "Fat chance". The Age. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  123. 1 2 3 "Benzema gives the key to be better". Goaledor. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  124. ↑ "Benzema: European preseason top scorer". Real Madrid C.F. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  125. ↑ "Barcelona rise to El Clasico occasion as Lionel Messi outshines Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo". Daily Telegraph. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  126. 1 2 "Benzema has confidence to impress Mourinho". english.ahram.org.eg. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  127. ↑ "Barca hold Real in Supercopa". ESPN. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  128. ↑ "Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid". ESPN. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  129. ↑ "Ronaldo gets Madrid show underway". ESPN. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  130. ↑ "Benzema at the double". ESPN. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  131. ↑ "Ronaldo revels in Rayo rout". ESPN. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  132. ↑ "Masterful Madrid too much for Ajax". Union of European Associations. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  133. ↑ "Clinical Real see off Ajax". ESPN. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  134. ↑ "Real romp past Lyon". ESPN. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  135. ↑ "Magnificent Madrid put Lyon to the sword". Union of European Associations. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  136. ↑ "Ronaldo hits hat-trick". ESPN. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  137. ↑ "Real pass Los Che test". ESPN. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  138. ↑ "Perfect Madrid put six past Dinamo". Union of European Associations. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  139. ↑ "Barca come back to win Clasico". ESPN. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  140. ↑ "The five-point European review". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  141. ↑ "Benzema élu Français de l'année". TF1 (in French). 13 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  142. ↑ "Benzema named France player of the year". ESPN. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  143. ↑ "Real rout Sevilla". ESPN. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  144. ↑ "Rampant Real extend lead". ESPN. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  145. ↑ "Real Madrid 3–2 Málaga". ESPN. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  146. ↑ "Málaga 0–1 Real Madrid". ESPN. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  147. ↑ "Barca fight back at the Bernabeu". ESPN. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  148. ↑ "Barca hold on to eliminate holders Real". ESPN. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  149. ↑ "Ronaldo inspires rampant Real". ESPN. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  150. ↑ "Real Madrid rout Racing". ESPN. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  151. ↑ "Real return to winning ways". ESPN. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  152. ↑ "Benzema becomes top scoring Frenchman in La Liga". Real Madrid C.F. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  153. ↑ "Kaká inspires Madrid to victory at APOEL". Union of European Associations. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  154. ↑ "Title within Real's reach". ESPN. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  155. ↑ "Real Madrid wins La Liga title". ESPN. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  156. ↑ "Real win title in style". ESPN. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  157. ↑ "Ronaldo at the treble as Real Madrid sink Ajax". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  158. ↑ "Benzema, France's Player of 2012". football-espana.net. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  159. ↑ "Ramos heads late winner". ESPN FC. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  160. ↑ "Real Madrid vs. Real Betis – 18 August 2013 – Soccerway". Soccerway.com. 18 August 2013.
  161. ↑ "Granada vs. Real Madrid – 26 August 2013 – Soccerway". Soccerway.com. 26 August 2013.
  162. ↑ "Galatasay vs. Real Madrid – 17 September 2013 – Soccerway". Soccerway.com. 17 September 2013.
  163. ↑ "Real Betis 0–5 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  164. ↑ "Barca tops Real Madrid in Clasico thriller". Fox News. 23 March 2014.
  165. ↑ "Real Madrid's Gareth Bale gallops past Barcelona to land Copa del Rey". The Guardian (London). 16 April 2014.
  166. ↑ Ripley, Dan (23 April 2014). "Karim Benzema pounces to give hosts semi-final advantage in Champions League". Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  167. ↑ "200 goals for the BBC". RealMadrid.com. 24 October 2015.
  168. ↑ "Official statement: Benzema". realmadrid.com. 6 August 2014.
  169. ↑ "Real Madrid 5 – 1 FC Basel". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  170. ↑ "Ludogorets 1–2 Real Madrid: Karim Benzema delivers winner from the bench as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co survive scare in Sofia". Daily Mail. 1 October 2014.
  171. ↑ "Real Madrid 5–0 Athletic Bilbao: Cristiano Ronaldo hits yet another hat-trick and Karim Benzema bags a brace in BBC production also starring Gareth Bale". Daily Mail. 5 October 2014.
  172. ↑ "Benzema nets Player of the Month gong". Marca. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  173. ↑ "Ronaldo rampant as Madrid put eight past Malmö". UEFA. 8 December 2015.
  174. ↑ "Real Madrid 10–2 Rayo Vallecano". bbc.com. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  175. ↑ "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". uefa.com. 28 May 2016.
  176. ↑ "Génération 1987, le disque rayé" (in French). Football.fr. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  177. ↑ "France lifted by late goals". Union of European Football Associations. 9 May 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  178. ↑ "Spain suffer Mario setback". Union of European Football Associations. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  179. ↑ "Châteauroux celebrates French win". Union of European Football Associations. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  180. ↑ "La France bat la Pologne et accède à la finale (1–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  181. ↑ "La France victorieuse en République Tchèque (2–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  182. ↑ "La France bat la Norvège 3–0" (in French). French Football Federation. 30 September 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  183. ↑ "La France remporte la première manche (3–1) face à la Russie" (in French). French Football Federation. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  184. ↑ "2005: Europe extend Meridian domination". Union of European Football Associations. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  185. ↑ "La France s'impose face au Cameroun (7–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 4 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  186. ↑ "La France bat le Nigeria (2–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  187. ↑ "La France domine l'Egypte (4–1)" (in French). French Football Federation. 11 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  188. ↑ "La France dominatrice face à la Slovaquie (4–1)" (in French). French Football Federation. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  189. ↑ "Philippe Bergeroo: "Un groupe toujours aussi motivé"" (in French). French Football Federation. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  190. ↑ "Première manche réussie face à la Norvège (4–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 5 October 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  191. ↑ "Troisième succès, face à l'Autriche (2–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  192. ↑ "Austria 0–2 France". Union of European Football Associations. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  193. ↑ "Bulgaria feel Les Bleus power". Union of European Football Associations. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  194. ↑ "La France bat la Bulgarie (4–0)" (in French). French Football Federation. 16 May 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  195. ↑ "La France tenue en échec (1–1)" (in French). French Football Federation. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  196. ↑ "Fletcher sends Scotland soaring". Union of European Football Associations. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  197. ↑ "La Belgique s'impose 1–0". French Football Federation (in French). 15 August 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  198. ↑ "Sahar sets Israel up nicely". Union of European Football Associations. 7 October 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  199. ↑ "Israeli joy after historic win". Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  200. ↑ "France et Israël dos à dos (1–1)". French Football Federation (in French). 7 October 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  201. ↑ "La France éliminée". French Football Federation (in French). 11 October 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  202. ↑ "Benzema dit non à l'Algérie". DjaZairess (in French). 12 December 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  203. ↑ "Benzema commits to France". Sky Sports (in French). 11 December 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  204. ↑ "Une récompense". French Football Federation (in French). 9 November 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  205. ↑ "Benzema et Govou forfaits". French Football Federation (in French). 13 November 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  206. ↑ "Newcomers Diaby, Diarra earn France call-up". ESPN. 15 March 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  207. ↑ Vignal, Patrick (28 March 2007). "Debutant Benzema gives France win over Austria". Reuters. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  208. ↑ "Henry celebrates in France romp". Union of European Football Associations. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  209. ↑ Whyatt, Chris (11 June 2008). "Romania 0–0 France". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  210. ↑ "L'impuissance de Benzema". Le Point (in French). 10 June 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  211. ↑ "Netherlands 4–1 France: Dutch master class". ESPN. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  212. ↑ Winter, Henry (18 June 2008). "Italy expose French frailties". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  213. ↑ "France sunk as Italy grab lifeline". Union of European Football Associations. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  214. ↑ Burt, Jason (22 November 2008). "Outspoken Gallas loses captaincy". The Independent. UK. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  215. ↑ "Nasri hits back at Gallas "rubbish"". Daily Mirror. UK. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  216. ↑ "Why Nasri's brilliance is spoiled by his petulance". Daily Mirror. UK. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  217. ↑ "Un malaise Benzema?". Eurosport (in French). 16 June 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  218. ↑ "Benzema pique le nème10 à Govou". Lyon Capitale (in French). 9 October 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  219. ↑ "Sweden v. France Match Report". French Football Federation (in French). 20 August 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  220. ↑ "France v. Tunisia Match Report". French Football Federation (in French). 14 October 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  221. ↑ "France v. Turkey Match Report". French Football Federation (in French). 5 June 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  222. ↑ Petrequin, Samuel (11 May 2010). "Benzema left out of France's World Cup squad". Associated Press.
  223. ↑ "Benzema: "Déçu mais pas abattu si je n'y suis pas"". Radio Monte Carlo (in French). 11 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  224. ↑ "Laurent Blanc: Benzema is 'not used to working'". ESPN. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  225. ↑ "Norway sink France thanks to Huseklepp double". Reuters. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  226. ↑ "France and Blanc up and running in Sarajevo". Union of European Football Associations. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  227. ↑ "Benzema and Gourcuff keep France flying". Union of European Football Associations. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  228. ↑ "France squeeze past Albania to stay top". Union of European Football Associations. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  229. ↑ "France too good for England in Wembley friendly". Yahoo! Sports. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  230. ↑ "France 1 Brazil 0: match report". The Daily Telegraph. UK. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  231. ↑ "Yoann Gourcuff omitted as France announce Euro 2012 squad". The Independent. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  232. ↑ "Benzema, Ribery shine as France thrashed Estonia". Chicago Tribune. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  233. ↑ "France 1 England 1". BBC Sport. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  234. ↑ "After Rain Delay, France Shuts Out Ukraine". New York Times. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  235. ↑ "France 6–0 Australia: Benzema breaks goal drought in friendly drubbing". www.goal.com. 11 October 2013.
  236. ↑ "World Cup Qualifiers: France revival sinks Ukraine 3–0". Sky Sports. 20 November 2013.
  237. ↑ "France World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  238. ↑ "France 3–0 Honduras". BBC Sport. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  239. ↑ "France 3–0 Honduras". FIFA. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  240. ↑ "Switzerland 2–5 France". BBC. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  241. ↑ Hytner, David (4 July 2014). "Germany reach World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels header sinks France". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  242. ↑ Tyers, Alan (4 July 2014). "France vs Germany, World Cup 2014". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  243. ↑ Ornstein, David (4 July 2014). "Germany became the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels' early header proved enough to see them past France at the Maracana.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  244. 1 2 "Karim Benzema axed from France Euro 2016 squad". The Telegraph. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  245. ↑ marca.com: 'Benzema: "Deschamps se pliega a la presión de una parte racista de Francia", , 1 Jun 2016
  246. 1 2 Alistair Tweedale (11 August 2015). "Karim Benzema to Arsenal: Why Real Madrid striker would be a perfect signing". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  247. ↑ Ulises Sánchez-Flor (24 July 2013). "Benzema's big break". Marca. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  248. ↑ Arunava Ray (27 May 2015). "Manchester United prepare swoop for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema". International Business Times. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  249. ↑ Kiyan Sobhani (25 February 2016). "Analysed: Karim Benzema is more important than everybody thought". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  250. 1 2 Rob Train (25 August 2015). "Benzema's return will bring cohesion back to Real Madrid attack". ESPN FC. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  251. 1 2 Graham Hunter (23 September 2014). "Karim Benzema is the perfect striker for Real, plus praise for Villarreal". ESPN FC. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  252. ↑ Olivier Martínez (17 September 2015). "Benzema, the silent killer". Marca. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  253. ↑ Giuseppe Di Napoli (18 November 2007). "Karim Benzema, l'erede di Trezeguet" [Karim Benzema, Trezeguet's heir] (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  254. ↑ Ian Hawkey (28 February 2016). "Cristiano Ronaldo takes aim at Real Madrid teammates as La Liga hopes take mortal blow". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  255. ↑ John Robertson (28 August 2015). "Why Benzema is too important to leave Real Madrid this season". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  256. ↑ "Karim Benzema – Football Stats". Soccer base. Retrieved 10 June 2014
  257. ↑ "Benzema, Karim". National Football Teams. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  258. 1 2 "K. Benzema". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  259. ↑ José Luis Pierrend (8 January 2015). "The "Bravo" Award". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  260. ↑ Tom Pilcher (1 July 2009). "FACTBOX-Soccer-Real Madrid signing Karim Benzema". Reuters. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  261. ↑ "Hotshot Benzema wins award". Eurosport. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  262. 1 2 Erik Garin (20 February 2009). "France - Les Oscars du Football". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  263. 1 2 Garin, Erik; Pierrend, José Luis (8 January 2015). "France – Footballer of the Year". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  264. ↑ "Barcelona rallies to beat Madrid in Clásico". The National Post. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  265. ↑ "Benzema, le phénomène qui réveille le foot". Le Point (in French). 7 February 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  266. ↑ "Benzema, l'arme fatale de l'OL". Maxifoot (in French). 19 September 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  267. ↑ "Ramadan Fasting For Real Madrid Trio Lassana, Benzema and Diarra". Dadyal Online. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  268. 1 2 "Sur les traces de Karim Benzema". DjaZairess (in French). 13 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  269. ↑ "Sur les traces de Karim Benzema". 20 Minutes (in French). 6 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  270. ↑ "Vaulx-en-Velin – Gressy, l'autre Benzema". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (in French). 21 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  271. ↑ "Sabri Benzema, plus fort que son frère?". FootMercato (in French). 9 August 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  272. ↑ "Karim Benzema le footballeur est devenu papa". Public (in French). 4 February 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  273. ↑ name [Karim Benzema] (6 August 2014). Benzema/status/https://twitter.com/benzema/status/497079935794954240 "3 February 2014 Naissance de ma fille Mélia !" Check |url= value (help) (Tweet). Retrieved 25 November 2014 – via Twitter.
  274. ↑ "Quatre Bleus impliqués dans une affaire de moeurs?" (in French). RMC. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  275. ↑ "Ribéry parmi les témoins entendus" (in French). L'Equipe. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  276. ↑ "Lawyer denies Benzema used prostitute" (in French). ESPN. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  277. ↑ Davies, Lizzy (20 July 2010). "Franck Ribéry and Karim Benzema held in prostitution investigation". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  278. ↑ "Ribéry et Benzema mis en examen" (in French). France Football. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  279. ↑ "French prosecutors accept that Ribery did not know prostitute was a minor". France 24. 19 November 2011.
  280. ↑ "Ribery and Benzema on trial on underage prostitute charges in Paris". 19 June 2013.
  281. ↑ Willsher, Kim (4 November 2015). "Karim Benzema arrested by police in sex-tape blackmail case". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  282. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34974358
  283. ↑ http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Pour-manuel-valls-karim-benzema-n-a-pas-sa-place-en-equipe-de-france/612424

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karim Benzema.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.