Karim Benzema's international career has been overshadowed by controversies, limiting his popularity in France despite his success at Real Madrid.
Beyond his club appearances, Benzema has played a significant role for the French national team throughout his career, though he remains far less beloved in France than in Madrid. Multiple controversies have tarnished his reputation in his home country, while his Algerian ancestry has further complicated his integration into the French squad. Karim Mostafa Benzema was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. Though his parents hold French citizenship, his family roots trace back to Algeria. Raised in a Muslim household with six siblings, Benzema has consistently observed Ramadan fasting since childhood. His competitive soccer journey began at the age of eight. During an under-10 match, Benzema scored twice against Lyon’s youth team, earning a trial with the French club. He subsequently secured a spot in their youth academy. After assisting as a ballboy during Lyon’s senior games, he netted 38 goals at the under-16 level. This performance led to his promotion to Lyon’s reserve team, and in 2004, he joined the senior squad. His strong performances earned him a three-year contract with Lyon. The following season, he debuted in the Champions League, scoring his first goal in the tournament. As his influence grew, Benzema earned more playing time for France and became the team’s primary striker. From then on, he consistently delivered, achieving multiple hat-tricks, doubles, and crucial Champions League goals. In 2008, Benzema signed an upgraded contract that placed him among France’s highest-earning footballers. He topped the league’s scoring charts and was shortlisted for the 2008 Ballon d’Or. This success prompted Lyon to set a staggering 100-million-euro valuation on him, attracting interest from larger clubs. In 2009, Lyon accepted Real Madrid’s offer for Benzema, valued at 35 million euros with an additional 41 million euros in potential bonuses. After signing a six-year deal, he initially featured as a substitute for Los Blancos, facing criticism from the Spanish media. However, a key goal silenced his detractors, and his influence at the club grew significantly. Under José Mourinho’s guidance, Benzema shed 18 pounds and added muscle before the 2011-12 season. The transformation proved impactful, as he found the net eight times in just seven appearances. This marked the start of his peak period as a striker. Over time, he surpassed Zidane’s record to become La Liga’s top-scoring French player and claimed the French Footballer of the Year award multiple times. On the international stage, Benzema’s first major tournament with France was Euro 2008. He later competed in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. He secured a spot in the squad for the 2014 World Cup but was excluded from Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup due to controversies. In 2019, Benzema expressed frustration over his exclusion, even hinting at the possibility of representing another nation, such as Algeria. Karim Benzema has two children with his wife, Cora Gauthier. Benzema’s time with the French national team has been hindered by a notable lack of public support in his homeland. In 2006, he openly admitted a preference for playing for Algeria but chose France due to the team’s higher caliber, which drew criticism from French supporters. Additionally, he faced backlash for not singing the national anthem before matches or appearing hesitant to do so. In 2010, French authorities launched an investigation into four national team members, including Benzema, amid allegations of involvement in a prostitution ring. Reports claimed he had paid for the services of a 16-year-old girl, leading to charges of soliciting a minor prostitute. However, the case was dropped in 2014 due to insufficient evidence. In 2015, Benzema was arrested after teammate Mathieu Valbuena accused him of attempting to blackmail him. Allegedly, Benzema used a compromising sex tape to pressure Valbuena into helping him secure a starting position, as both were strikers. Benzema was suspended by France, though his blackmail charges were later dismissed by French courts. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved