Karim Mostafa Benzema, popularly known as Karim Benzema, is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation
With his impressive playmaking abilities and deadly finishing skills in the center-forward position, he has been a key player for Real Madrid, scoring 329 goals in 617 appearances.
As of now, his net worth is estimated to be $75 million, and he is considered the top assist provider of all time for Real Madrid and the club’s second-highest goal scorer.
Karim Benzema’s Early Life
Karim Mostafa Benzema was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, to parents who are French nationals but he has Algerian roots.
He grew up in a Muslim household with seven siblings and observed the tradition of fasting during Ramadan from a young age, a practice he still follows today. Benzema began his competitive soccer journey at the age of eight.
Karim Benzema’s Biography 2023 Complete Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karim Mostafa Benzema |
| Nickname | Coco, Benzegoal, El Gato |
| Born | 19 December 1987 |
| Debut | 2004 for Lyon |
| Height | 1.87 m |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Age | 34 |
| Birthplace | Lyon, France |
| Religion | Islam |
| Nationality | French |
| Net Worth | $75 Million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Father name | Hafid |
| Mother name | Wahida Djebbara |
| Salary | $4 Million+ |
| Twitter Handle | @karimbenzema |
| Instagram Handle | @Benzema |
Karim Benzema’s Career
Karim Benzema’s journey as a footballer began after impressing during a trial with Lyon’s youth team. He worked his way up the ranks, eventually earning a place on the senior squad and becoming their lead striker. Benzema’s success led to a new contract and being considered for the Ballon d’Or in 2008.
Lyon put a high price tag on him due to the interest of larger clubs.
In 2009, Real Madrid offered more than 35 million euros to Lyon for Benzema, with an additional 41 million euros in incentives. After signing a six-year contract, he initially faced criticism from the Spanish press for appearing as a substitute.
Karim Benzema Transfer History
Jul. 2009: Lyon (France – Ligue 1) to Real Madrid (Spain – La Liga)
- Transfer Fee: $36,210,000
However, Benzema’s standing at the club improved after scoring an important goal, and he began to integrate with greater efficiency.
In the following years, he continued to excel, surpassing Zidane’s record and winning the French Footballer of the Year award multiple times.
In the 2013-14 season, Karim Benzema played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as part of a formidable front three that scored a total of 97 goals for Real Madrid.
Benzema signed a new five-year contract with the club before the start of the next season and continued to perform consistently for the next few years.
He signed another contract in 2020 that would keep him with the club until 2022 and scored his 250th goal for Real Madrid in the same year.
In terms of international play, Benzema played in major competitions such as Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012 for France. He was also part of the squad during the 2014 World Cup.
Controversies and scandals resulted in his exclusion from both the Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup squads.
In 2019, Benzema expressed his frustration about being effectively expelled from the French national team and even hinted at playing for another country in the future, such as Algeria.
16 years after his debut, Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international duty on his 35th birthday. pic.twitter.com/rQ8HQ8UZgq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 19, 2022
In December 2022, on his 35th birthday, the French striker Karim Benzema made the announcement of his retirement from international football. This decision came after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final, a day prior.
Karim Benzema’s Career Achievements
| Achievements | Year |
|---|---|
| Ligue 1 Top Scorer | 2008, 2010 |
| Trophée des Champions | 2007, 2012, 2017 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| La Liga | 2011-12, 2016-17, 2019-20 |
| Copa del Rey | 2010-11, 2013-14 |
| UEFA Champions League | 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2021-22 |
| UEFA European Championship | Runner-up: 2016 |
| Individual Honors | |
| Bravo Award | 2008 |
| French Player of the Year | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season | 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2021-22 |
| UEFA Team of the Year | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| La Liga Team of the Season | 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2019-20 |
| Trophée des Champions Player of the Year | 2012, 2014 |
| French Player of the Year L’Équipe Magazine | 2014, 2015 |
| Globe Soccer Awards Best Arab Player of the Year | 2014, 2015 |
| IFFHS World’s Best Top Division Goal Scorer | 2014 |
| UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award | Runner-up: 2021 |
| Ballon d’Or | Top 10: 2021 |
Karim Benzema’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Karim Benzema’s estimated net worth is $75 million. The majority of his wealth comes from his successful football career, including his lucrative contracts and endorsements.
Karim Benzema’s Salary
Karim Benzema earns a weekly salary of £278,000, which amounts to an annual salary of £14,456,000. This makes him one of the highest-paid french footballers.
Benzema Salary Notes
- Benzema has earned an approximate gross total of $150,761,842.49 in his playing career.
- Benzema is the third highest-paid player at Real Madrid.
- Benzema’s 2022-23 salary accounts for 8.25% of Los Blanco’s payroll.
Karim Benzema’s Endorsements
Adidas is Karim Benzema’s longest-standing endorsement deal, ongoing for over 10 years. Apart from Adidas, the 34-year-old striker also endorses several other prominent brands such as Hyundai, EA Sports, Bwin, LCL (Le Crédit Lyonnais), and SFR (Société française du radiotéléphone).
Karim Benzema has several endorsement deals with various brands. Some of his notable endorsement deals include:
Adidas: Benzema is a brand ambassador for Adidas and has been seen wearing Adidas boots during matches. He has also appeared in Adidas commercials alongside other high-profile footballers.
Audi: He has been a brand ambassador for Audi since 2013 and has been featured in several commercials for the car manufacturer.
Fly Emirates: Benzema has appeared in Fly Emirates’ “Hello Tomorrow” advertising campaign alongside other football stars.
Pepsi: Benzema has appeared in commercials for Pepsi, including one where he played a game of soccer against basketball player Kyrie Irving.
EA Sports: He has been featured in the FIFA video game franchise produced by EA Sports.
These endorsement deals have contributed significantly to Karim Benzema’s net worth.
Benzema Investments
Karim Benzema possesses a high-end designer house located in France, India, which he acquired in 2015. The estimated value of this real estate property is approximately 2.7 million USD.
In terms of cars, Karim Benzema’s collection is relatively modest. He owns a handful of the finest luxury cars globally, including Range Rover, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, and Bugatti.
Karim Benzema adds Bugatti Chiron to his collection. 🔥 #Bugatti #Chiron pic.twitter.com/FjmnmD6HCi
— VVIP (@VVIP) June 14, 2020
How Does Karim Benzema Spend His Money?
Karim Benzema, like many high-profile athletes, spends his money on various expenses. He is known for his love of luxury items and is often seen sporting high-end designer clothing and accessories.
Apart from his extravagant lifestyle, Benzema invests his wealth in businesses and properties. He owns several real estate properties, and also spends a significant portion of his wealth on his car collection.
