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Tag: Karim Benzema

  • Why I chose to sign for Al Ittihad FC of Saudi Arabia – Karim Benzema

    Why I chose to sign for Al Ittihad FC of Saudi Arabia – Karim Benzema

    Karim Benzema has stated reason why he joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad from Spanish side, Real Madrid.

    Benzema signed a mouth-watering deal with the Saudi club side  on Tuesday evening.

    Benzema will now play in the Middle East after 14 years with the LaLiga giants.

    “Al Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players.

    “Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead and I am here to win as I did in Europe,” Benzema said.

    Benzema will earn almost €200m per season net salary with commercial deals included.

    Lionel Messi could also be playing in the Saudi Arabian league next season if his deal with Al Hilal eventually pulls through.

  • BREAKING: Karim Benzema exits Real Madrid

    BREAKING: Karim Benzema exits Real Madrid

    Real Madrid Football Club and captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at the club to a close.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement published on the website of the La Liga side.

    The statement reads: “Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.

    “Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends”.

    TNG reports Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009, at just 21 years of age, and has been a fundamental player in the golden age of the club’s history.

    During his fourteen seasons at the club, the French international won 25 titles, a record number for any Real Madrid player: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 King’s Cups and 4 Spanish Super Cups.

    Karim Benzema is the current UEFA Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPRO XI and winning the Pichichi Trophy 2022.

    “Awards received after one of the most extraordinary seasons in our history, especially in the Champions League, in which our captain played some memorable matches that contributed to Real Madrid winning their 14th European Cup in Paris, being the top scorer of the competition with 15 goals.

    “Karim Benzema is the fifth player who has worn our shirt the most times with 647 appearances, and is Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer with 353 goals. He is also Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer in both La Liga and the European Cup. He is also the fourth top scorer in the history of the Champions League and the fourth top scorer in the history of La Liga.

    “Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.

    “Madridistas and all the fans all over the world alike have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.

    “Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we wish him and all his family all the best in this new stage of his life.

    “Next Tuesday 6 June, at 12:00pm (CEST), an institutional act of homage and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid Sport City, which will be attended by our president, Florentino Pérez,” the statement added.

  • Benzema considers joining Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia for €200 million

    Benzema considers joining Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia for €200 million

    Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema has gotten mouthwatering offer to leave Real Madrid at the end of this season.

    Benzema could be on his way to Saudi club side Al-Ijtihad to join C.Ronaldo in the Asian league.

    The France international is close to joining Al-Ittihad and this is after Rudy Galletti previously reported the SPL champion’s interest in the Frenchman.

    Benzema initially turned down the offer but now considering a new improved offer.

    They have now tabled a €200 million contract for two seasons and the deal is hard for the 35-year-old to resist.

    Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Olympique Lyon and has gone on to score 353 goals and has provided 165 assists in 647 matches.

    The French attacker was in great form in the 2022–23 season as well. Despite spending spells on the sidelines due to injuries, he bagged 30 goals and six assists in 42 matches across competitions.

    Benzema is Los Blancos’ second-highest goalscorer ever, only behind the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.

  • FIFA Best Awards: Check out full list of winners

    FIFA Best Awards: Check out full list of winners

    The 2022 FIFA Best Awards was held on the night of Monday 27th of February in Paris France.

    Winners of the 2022 Best FIFA Awards were announced at the ceremony.

    Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas scooped the top two individual awards at the ceremony in Paris.

    Messi was named Men’s player of 2022, ahead of his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

    Putellas won the award for Women’s Player for the second successive year, ahead of Alex Morgan and Beth Mead.

    Aston Villa shot stopper,  Emiliano Martinez carted home the best goalkeeper of the year

    Check out the full list of the Winners

    Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi

    Best FIFA Women’s Player: Alexia Putellas

    Best Men’s XI: Thibaut Courtois; Achraf Hakimi, Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk; Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland

    Best Women’s XI: Christiane Endler; Lucy Bronze, Maria Leon, Leah Williamson, Wendy Renard; Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh, Lena Oberdorff; Alex Morgan, Sam Kerr, Beth Mead

    FIFA Best Fans Award: Argentina’s fans

    FIFA Fair Play Award: Luka Lochoshvili

    Best Men’s Coach Award: Lionel Scaloni

    Best Womens’s Coach Award: Sarina Wiegman

    Puskas Award: Marcin Oleksy (Warta Poznan vs Stal Rzeszow – 6 November 2022)

    Best Men’s Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

  • 2022: Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema ruled out of World Cup

    2022: Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema ruled out of World Cup

    Real Madrid French forward, Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup following the injury he sustained in training on Saturday in Doha.

    This was contained in a release by the Nigeria Football Federation.

    The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner felt a strong pain in his thigh during a sprint toward the end of the training session.

    After undergoing an MRI, it was confirmed that Benzema had suffered a muscle tear that would need three weeks of recovery time.

    This will be the first time since 1978 that the reigning Balon d or winner will not feature due to injury.

    France begin the defence of the World Cup title they won in 2018 when taking on Australia on Tuesday. Per FIFA rules, they will have until 24 hours before their first game to name a replacement to their squad.

    France’s other forward options in their squad include 2018 star Kylian Mbappe as well Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembele.

    “I am extremely sad for Karim, who had made this World Cup a major objective,” coach Didier Deschamps said in a statement. “Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us.”

    Benzema also addressed his withdrawal in an Instagram post.

    “I’ve never given up in my life but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done,” he said. “So reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup. Thanks for all your messages of support.”

    France’s preparations in Qatar had already been hit by the injury withdrawals of RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku and Paris Saint-Germain centre back Presnel Kimpembe.

    Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Monaco’s Axel Disasi were named as replacements.

  • Real Madrid star, Benzema reacts after first Ballon d’Or win

    Real Madrid star, Benzema reacts after first Ballon d’Or win

    Real Madrid and France forward, Karim Benzema has reacted after winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his footballing career, saying anything is possible if one never gives up on his dreams.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world on Monday.

    Benzema, who played a pivotal role in Real’s run to the Champions League title last season, is the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.

    “This prize in front of me makes me really proud. When I was small, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up… Anything is possible,” Benzema said on stage at the ceremony.

    “There was a difficult period when I wasn’t in the French team but I never gave up. I’m really proud of my journey here.

    “It wasn’t easy, it was a difficult time for my family as well.”

    Benzema beat Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne after Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the award for a record seventh time last year.

    Benzema had a stellar season with Real, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he helped guide them to a LaLiga and Champions League double.

    His 15 goals in the Champions League guided Real Madrid to a record-extending 14th title.

    Real Madrid made remarkable comebacks from losing positions in the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals against Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively — with Benzema scoring in each of the second legs.

    The highlight of their European campaign was the 3-1 win in the second leg against PSG when the Spanish club were 2-0 down on aggregate, with Benzema grabbing a 17-minute hat-trick in the second half to stun the Ligue 1 side.

    Meanwhile, Spanish international and FC Barcelona’s midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a second straight year, beating England’s European Championship winner Beth Mead and Australia’s Sam Kerr.

    Putellas, who was also named FIFA Best Women’s Player earlier this year, was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 11 goals and scored 18 in the Primera Division.

    The 28-year-old missed the Euros for Spain, however, after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of the tournament in England.

    Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois won the Lev Yashin award for the best goalkeeper last season, with the towering shot stopper making nine saves in the final to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool in a 1-0 victory in Paris.

    However, the teams in the Champions League final lost out on the Best Club award, which went to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.

    FC Barcelona’s 18-year-old midfielder Gavi picked up the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, while Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane won the inaugural Socrates award, with the Senegal international recognised for his humanitarian efforts.

    Lewandowski did not go home empty handed either as he picked up the Gerd Muller Trophy for the best striker after scoring 50 goals in all competitions for Bayern last season.

  • Karim Benzema should win Ballon d’Or only if… – Lewandowski

    Karim Benzema should win Ballon d’Or only if… – Lewandowski

    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski expects Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d’Or.

    In an interview with #Vamos, the Barcelona goalscorer recalled his pain at the Ballon d’Or snub, as well as discussing Los Cules’ current campaign.

    After missing out on the award in such difficult circumstances, the Barcelona forward admitted he hopes the same doesn’t happen to Benzema in 2022.

    “The Ballon d’Or is likely to be won by Benzema… if they don’t cancel it,” he joked.

    Barcelona’s 3-3 draw with Inter was a hammer blow to the club’s Champions League campaign, yet Lewandowski is convinced his team will bounce back.

    “After a bad game you have to face reality in the best way, show that you can play good football and win,” he detailed.

    “It’s a bit of a difficult moment but we know we have the opportunity in the Clasico, to go out there and win the game.

    “After the disappointment of the Champions League game, we have the opportunity to change our mentality and that of our fans. It’s a huge challenge.

    “I think its history, everything that happens around it means it’s one of the games of the year.”

  • How French striker, Benzema emerge UEFA Men’s Player of the Year

    How French striker, Benzema emerge UEFA Men’s Player of the Year

    Karim Benzema emerged  UEFA Men’s Player of the Year at a gala in Istanbul ahead of teammate and goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City.

    The Real Madrid forward, Benzema netted 44 goals in 46 games for the club. He scored 27 times in LaLiga Santander, two goals in the Supercopa de Espana, and 15 times in the Champions League.

    Benzema led Real Madrid to the Champions League title, also netting six goals in 10 games for the French national team.

    “I’m really happy. It’s the first time I’ve won this trophy but for me, the most important thing is to win trophies with the team. Mr. Ancelotti is the best coach in the world; he gets it right with every player, he gives us confidence and he tells you what to do before every match”, said the striker as he picked up the award.

    “The French striker was named 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after driving Real Madrid on to a record 14th European title, and his fifth since he joined from Lyon in 2009,” reads UEFA’s website.

    “His final tally of 15 goals – including a joint-record ten in the knockout stages – earned him the top spot in the competition scoring charts, with 27 in the Spanish Liga also a domestic best.

    “The evergreen 34-year-old started the campaign by helping France to UEFA Nations League glory and never looked back, consecutive hat-tricks in the Champions League knockout stages against Paris and Chelsea the highlights of a goal and trophy-filled season.”

    Benzema succeeds Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who won the Champions League with the Blues and the 2020 European Championship with Italy.

    Robert Lewandowski won it in 2019/20 to succeed Virgil van Dijk (2018/19), Luka Modric (2017/18), Cristiano Ronaldo (2016/17, 2015/16, and 2013/14), Lionel Messi (2014/15), Franck Ribery (2012/13) and Andres Iniesta (2011/12).

    The selection process is carried out by a jury that consists of the clubs that participated in the group stage of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League in 2021/22 and a panel of journalists selected by European Sports Media.

  • UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has explained why he opted for a Panenka penalty despite trailing by 2 goal margin.

    Man City had led 4-2 before before Aymeric Laporte was penalized for handling the ball in the box 18 area.

     

    A breathtaking game, packed with chances and moments of individual brilliance, was a treat for those watching but left City, who had the better of the game, with the slenderest of leads to defend at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.

    At the post match conference Benzema revealed that he’s had it in mind that if he doesn’t play penalties he can never miss one.

     

    Benzema said: “I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty. That’s mental confidence and that’s all. I have a lot of confidence in myself… so I do it and it turns out well.

    His boss Carlo Ancelotti said, “I think he changed because the last two penalties were not good. He tried in training, I didn’t know how he would shoot. He chose this [Panenka] and he did really well, showing strong personality and character. It’s not easy in the semi-final of the Champions League to shoot a penalty like this.”

    The second leg of the semi-final encounter holds next week Wednesday at the Bernabeu in Spain. Man City go into the match with 4-3 advantage.

  • Benzema’s winner completes Real Madrid fightback against Sevilla

    Benzema’s winner completes Real Madrid fightback against Sevilla

    Real Madrid fought back from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2 as Karim Benzema’s stoppage-time winner took them a step closer to clinching the title.

    Sevilla looked to be breathing life back in LaLiga’s title race, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side produced a brutal second-half performance to make a real statement.

    Perhaps suffering something of a UEFA Champions League hangover, Real Madrid were sluggish.

    They soon found themselves trailing to goals from Ivan Rakitic and Erik Lamela, both caused by defensive mishaps.

    But the pattern of play was dramatically flipped on its head after the break.

    Rodrygo pulled one back and fellow substitute Nacho Fernandez equalised, before king of comebacks Benzema sealed the turnaround.