Karim Benzema

He has two children: daughter Mélia, born on February 3, 2014, and son Ibrahim, born on May 5, 2017.

He is a practicing Muslim who fasts during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

He was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, to Hafid Benzema and Wahida Djebbara, French nationals of Algerian descent. He grew up in a small house in Bron and led a modest lifestyle along with his eight siblings.

He began his career in football at the age of 8, joining the local football club ‘Bron Terraillon SC.’ Sabri and Gressy, his younger brothers, also became footballers. Benzema attracted the attention of the club officials of ‘Lyon’ after netting two goals against the youth academy of the club in an ‘Under-10’ match. He eventually joined ‘Lyon’ in 1996.

After joining Lyon, he was made part of the academy of the club, where he soon climbed up the youth categories. The French domestic league ‘Championnat National des 16 ans,’ for footballers below the age of 16, saw him scoring 38 goals.

He was elevated to the reserve team of the club that participated in the football league competition ‘Championnat de France Amateur,’ prior to the 2004–2005 season of the ‘Ligue 1.’

He made his professional debut on January 15, 2005, against ‘FC Metz.’ ‘Lyon’ won the match 2–0. Thereafter, Benzzema signed a three-year professional contract. The club earned its fourth successive league title that season.

He made his ‘UEFA Champions League’ debut on December 6, 2005, in the final group-stage match of ‘Lyon,’ against the Norwegian club ‘Rosenborg,’ which the club won 2–1. The match marked the first professional goal scored by Benzema.

He scored his first professional double in January 2006, when ‘Lyon’ won 4–0 against ‘Grenoble’ in the ‘Coupe de France.’ On March 4, the same year, he garnered his first professional league goal of his career, playing against ‘Ajaccio.’