The Karim Benzema biography profiles the absolutely legendary career of one of the greatest strikers of his generation. Born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, he is universally celebrated for his elite technical ability, visionary playmaking, and ruthless finishing. As the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, his legacy as a complete forward is firmly etched into football history.

After a historic fourteen-year tenure at Real Madrid, where he won five UEFA Champions League titles and became the club's second all-time leading goalscorer, Benzema embarked on a new chapter in the Middle East. After initially signing with Al Ittihad in 2023, he sought a new challenge and completed a high-profile free transfer to rivals Al Hilal in February 2026.

During the 2025-2026 Saudi Pro League campaign, Benzema continued to showcase his world-class goalscoring instincts for Al Hilal, remaining a massive draw in Asian football. On the international stage, despite a complex relationship with the national team setup, he secured his legacy by winning the UEFA Nations League with France in 2021 before officially retiring from international duty.

👤 Profile at a Glance

Full Name Karim Mostafa Benzema
Nickname KB9
Date of Birth December 19, 1987
Age 38 years old
Birthplace Lyon, France
Nationality French
Profession Striker
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)
Education Secondary Education
Marital Status In a Relationship
Spouse / Partner Jordan Ozuna
Children 4
Net Worth $150 Million (2026)

🎓 Education

Karim Benzema attended local schools in the Bron suburb of Lyon during his early childhood, successfully balancing his academic progression alongside his footballing commitments.

He navigated his standard schooling requirements while dedicating vast amounts of time to the highly prestigious Olympique Lyonnais youth academy system, completely focusing on his athletic development from a young age.

💼 Career

Karim Benzema's professional footballing journey began at Olympique Lyonnais, where he emerged as a highly touted teenager and won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles. His undeniable brilliance prompted Real Madrid to secure his signature in 2009. Over the next 14 years, he evolved into a global icon at the Santiago Bernabéu, amassing 354 goals and winning a staggering 25 major trophies, including five Champions League titles.

In the twilight of his career, Benzema departed Madrid in 2023 to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad. After scoring consistently but facing organizational turbulence, he completed a massive intra-league transfer to Al Hilal in February 2026. He instantly adapted to his new surroundings in Riyadh. During the 2025-2026 campaign, he registered 17 goals and 2 assists in 24 league matches, notably scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Al Kholood in April 2026.

Internationally, Benzema earned 97 caps and scored 37 goals for the France national team. While he famously missed the 2018 World Cup triumph, he returned to lead the line for Les Bleus at Euro 2020 and played an absolutely massive role in winning the 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League. He officially retired from international football in late 2022, securing his status as a French footballing legend.

🏠 Personal Life

Karim Benzema was born and raised in Lyon to incredibly proud parents of Algerian descent. He grew up in a highly supportive, football-obsessed family environment alongside his eight siblings. He frequently credits his dedicated family for keeping him grounded throughout his rapid rise from the Parisian suburbs to the absolute pinnacle of global sports.

In his private personal life, Benzema is highly protective of his privacy. He has four children from different relationships and is currently in a relationship with American model Jordan Ozuna. He highly prefers to keep his family life shielded from the intense tabloid spotlight, entirely focusing on his professional commitments and faith.

Off the pitch, Benzema is known for his highly reserved, calm personality and his absolute elite focus on physical conditioning, adopting rigorous recovery techniques later in his career to extend his prime. He is a devout Muslim, frequently entirely observing Ramadan during the demanding football season.

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • Ballon d'Or Winner (2022)
  • 5x UEFA Champions League Winner
  • 4x La Liga Champion
  • UEFA Nations League Winner (2021)
  • Over 400 Career Goals

💬 Notable Quotes

Winning the Ballon d'Or was a childhood dream come true. It represents years of relentless hard work, sacrifices, and never entirely giving up on your goals.

— Karim Mostafa Benzema

Real Madrid will always be my home, but the project in Saudi Arabia completely offered an exciting new challenge to grow the sport in a new region.

— Karim Mostafa Benzema

You absolutely have to entirely believe in your ability. As a striker, you must play for the team, create space, and remain completely calm in front of goal.

— Karim Mostafa Benzema

❓ People Also Ask

Karim Benzema is famous for being a legendary French striker who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or, lifted five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and currently plays for Al Hilal.
Born on December 19, 1987, Karim Benzema is 38 years old as of May 2026.
As of 2026, his estimated net worth is approximately $150 million, heavily supported by his highly lucrative contracts in the Saudi Pro League.
He was born in Lyon, a major city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
He is in a relationship with Jordan Ozuna and has four children. He keeps his private life heavily shielded from the media.
His biggest achievements include winning the Ballon d'Or, five Champions League titles, and becoming Real Madrid's second all-time top scorer.