Karim Benzema added an illustrious Ballon d’Or title to his cabinet in 2022, having achieved nearly everything in his career thus far. However, the dream of lifting the World Cup with France eluded him after he was injured a few days before the tournament started in Qatar.
France went on to lose the final against Argentina on penalties and Benzema, who was not replaced in the squad and was rumoured to be fit for the knockout clashes, announced his retirement from international football on December 19.
“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending,” Benzema wrote on Instagram.
Karim Benzema made his France debut in 2007 in a friendly fixture against Austria and scored on his debut.
Unfortunately for the Galactico striker, a lot of his international appearances were restricted to friendlies and qualifiers. He only appeared in one FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he made five appearances and scored thrice.
His club career, however, had lesser hiccups and more glory. An impressive couple of seasons with Olympique Lyon in 2007-08 and 2008-09, where he collectively scored 54 goals in 99 matches, earned him a big money move to Real Madrid, the same summer when Cristiano Ronaldo joined them on a world record transfer.
After a slow beginning, Benzema picked up pace in the second season, returning with 26 goals across all competitions. In 2011-12, Benzema smashed 21 goals in La Liga (32 overall) and won his first league title with the Real Madrid.
He went on to win three more league titles, alongside five Champions League titles, four Copa Del Reys, four UEFA Super Cups and four FIFA Club World Cups in the next decade.
His 44-goal tally in 46 matches in the 2021-22 season saw Real Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League, earning him the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and UEFA Player of the Year awards.
Karim Benzema stats
International football stats (France)
|
Competition |
Matches |
Goals |
Assists |
|
FIFA World Cup |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
FIFA World Cup qualifiers |
22 |
7 |
3 |
|
UEFA Euro |
10 |
4 |
2 |
|
UEFA Euro qualifiers |
12 |
5 |
4 |
|
UEFA Nations League |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Friendlies |
43 |
15 |
9 |
|
Overall |
97 |
37 |
20 |
Club football Stats
Olympique Lyon
|
Competition |
Matches |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Ligue 1 |
112 |
43 |
23 |
|
Champions League |
19 |
12 |
3 |
|
Others |
17 |
11 |
1 |
|
Overall |
148 |
66 |
27 |
Real Madrid
|
Competition |
Matches |
Goals |
Assists |
|
La Liga |
439 |
238 |
119 |
|
Champions League |
127 |
78 |
27 |
|
Others |
78 |
38 |
19 |
|
Overall |
648 |
354 |
165 |
Photo Credit: Alamy
