Karim Benzema is one among talented upcoming star strikers of this era. Benzema has good pace power and skill to torn apart any defence. Benzema can play upfront as a striker or on the wings.

Karim Benzema was born on 19^th December 1987 at Lyon in France. Benzema Started his football journey with a dream to join Real Madrid one day. He firstly played for Bron Terraillion SC’s youth team. In 1996, Olympique Lyonnais took him to their academy after seeing his impressive performances for Bron. Benzema played for Lyon Under-16 team and Lyon Under-18 teams during his youth career. He scored plenty of goals for those teams. In 2004, Lyon drafted him into their senior team.

Benzema made his French Ligue 1 debut on 15^th January 2005, when he played against FC Mets as a second half substitute. He was only 17 years old. He played six matches that season. During 2005/2006 season, he played 16 matches and scored four goals. He scored his first goal for Lyon while playing against AC Ajaccio. He opened his European goal tally when he scored against Rosenberg in a UEFA Champions League match, which Lyon won 2-1.In 2006/2007 season he played 28 games and scored eight goals. Even though Lyon won Ligue 1 in 2005 and 2006, Benzema got his first league medal in 2007, as he became a regular that season. He won Trophee Des Champions in 2006 and 2007 with Lyon. He also was part of Lyon’s Peace cup success in 2007.

2007/2008 season turned out to be a path breaking one for Benzema, as he started banging goals. He scored 21 league goals for Lyon in 33 matches. He helped them to retain their Ligue 1 title. He was the top goal scorer in Ligue 1 that season. He won the Ligue 1 player of the year that season. He scored four goals in UEFA champions’ league that season. One of the goals was against Manchester United. He helped Lyon to win Coupe de France. He scored 31 goals in all competitions during that season. Lyon gave a contract extension to Benzema up to 2013, with a 100 million-buyout clause, to fend off potential suitors. During 2008/2009 season, he scored 23 goals in 47 matches. In 2009, Realmadrid bought him for £30 million. He scored a goal in debut to help Real Madrid to win their pre-season match against Irish club Shamrock Rovers.

Benzema started his International career with French under-17 team. He helped France to win UEFA European Under-17 football championship, in 2004.Though he had invitation from Algeria to represent them in International matches, Benzema decided to play for France. Benzema made his senior international debut when he played against Austria and he scored a goal to win the match for France. He played in Euro 2008 for France. He scored his first euro cup goal when he converted a Penalty against Turkey. France had a bad tournament and they made early exit. Benzema has played 24 matches for France and has scored six goals.

 Goal against Manchester united

Watch his Skills