Karim Benzema is one of the most underrated strikers in world football. The Real Madrid number 9 was most recently in the headlines for a Champions League hat-trick against PSG. The Frenchman’s three second half goals in the return leg single-handedly dragged the club to the quarter finals of the competition.
So, here are some relatively unknown facts about the player.
Unknown facts about Karim Benzema
1. He has a movie about his life
‘Le K Benzema’ was a 2017 movie about his rise at Lyon, and subsequent success at Real Madrid. The movie features interviews with his close family and friends. It also takes a look at his relationship with Zinedine Zidane, and his friendship with French rapper Booba.
2. Benzema has the fastest goal in El Clasico history
The player scored against Barcelona after only 22 seconds, making him the fastest to ever score in El Clasico. Since 2009, he has scored eleven goals against the Blaugrana in El Clasico.
3. He could have played for Algeria
Being of Algerian descent, the football board tried to convince him to play for Algeria. However, Benzema chose to represent France and he now has 94 caps for them, after returning to the team in 2021.
4. The fourth-highest Champions League goalscorer
Behind former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, Benzema is the fourth-highest goalscorer of all-time in the Champions League. He has netted 79 goals from 137 appearances in the European top flight.
5. He has eight siblings, two of whom are footballers
The Real Madrid striker has three brothers and five sisters. He is the third youngest of them all, and his two younger brothers are also footballers – albeit not as successful as himself.
6. Net worth
Karim Benzema has a net worth of £55 million, which includes his salary of £14 million with Real Madrid alongside revenue earned from sponsorship deals.
7. He joined a clinic to lose weight
When he joined Real Madrid in 2009, Benzema was criticised for not living up to the mark. The striker was also criticised for his weight, and taking the advice of Zidane and Laurent Blanc, he underwent a physical transformation to reach his peak.
