Karim Benzema is a striker who plays for Spanish side Real Madrid and the French national team. Benzema joined Real Madrid from French club Olympique Lyonnais in July 2009. Benzema had a most brilliant 2007-08 season for Lyon, being top scorer in Ligue 1 and Player of the Year in France. Foreign clubs were queuing up to get his signature but Benzema stayed for one more season at Lyon.
For his national team Benzema was part of the French squad winning the 2004 UEFA U-17 European Championship. He won his first senior cap for France in March 2007, scoring in a 1-0 win against Austria.