Profile
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Karim Benzema | |
| Date of birth | 19 December 1987 | |
| Place of birth | Lyon, France | |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Olympique Lyonnais | |
| Number | 10 | |
| Youth career | ||
| 1995–1996 1996–2004 |
Bron Terraillon Olympique Lyonnais |
|
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2004– | Olympique Lyonnais | 98 (67) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2007– | France | 22 (5)[2 |
Benzema is a product of the Olympique Lyonnais Academy, he is very capable of playing as a striker in Lyon's preferred 4-3-3 formation, but he can also play on both wings. In the 2006-07 season, after forming special relationship with new manager Alain Perrin, he was given the first team role in which he responded with 24 goals in 37 games. On 13 March 2008, Benzema extended his contract with Lyon until 2013 with a one year extension option.[5] After signing his new contract, Benzema became one of the highest paid footballers in France.[6] He was recently voted the best player in France, while ex-Lyon colleague Hatem Ben Arfa was voted the best young player.[7]
[edit] 2008–09 Season
After getting off to a tender start to the 2008–2009 season, netting six goals in his team’s first five matches, Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas has quelled the many transfer rumors surrounding Benzema by placing a €100 million price tag on the striker. However, Benzema has declared that his personal goal is to play for Real Madrid .
He got his seventh goal of the league 29 October scoring in the 2–0 win over Sochaux. Benzema scored again the following weekend, in a 2–0 win over Le Mans.
He was nominated alongside Franck Ribéry to be featured on the French cover of the game FIFA 09
Source : Wikipedia