Emerging at Lyon in the mid-2000s Benzema exploded on to the world stage in 2007/08, his first year as a starter at the Stade Gerland, scoring over 30 goals in a league-winning side. Real Madrid came calling in 2009 and paid over £30million for his services as part of a huge summer transfer spree. After years spent playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo, the French international took centre-stage in his 30s and scored 15 goals in the 2021-22 Champions League as Real Madrid won the competition. He won the Ballon d'Or for the first time later in 2022, but missed out on his country's World Cup runs in both 2018 and 2022.
- Football news - Transfer news
UPDATED 16:03, 18 Nov 2025