Karim Benzema Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Karim Benzema’s Net Worth and Salary?

A net worth of $200 million defines Karim Benzema, the French professional soccer player. He is regarded as one of the most prolific strikers to ever wear a Real Madrid jersey, making him a celebrated figure among “Los Blancos” fans. Throughout his career, Karim has demonstrated remarkable goal-scoring instinct along with exceptional vision and playmaking skills. He is especially noted for his synergy with other strikers, having formed strong partnerships with players like Cristiano Ronaldo.

In addition to his club commitments, Benzema has also played a crucial role in the French national team throughout the years. However, in contrast to his popularity among Madrid fans, he is less favored in his home country. A series of scandals have adversely impacted his reputation in France, and his Algerian heritage has further complicated his relationship with the national team.

Saudi Contract

Karim Benzema made headlines in June 2023 when he signed a 2-year contract worth $436 million with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. This contract ranks among the largest in sports history, translating to an average annual salary of $214,534,727. This decision marked a significant transition from his stellar 14-year career at Real Madrid, where he captured five Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copas del Rey. His signing was deemed a historic event for Al-Ittihad and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s larger strategy to privatize its most prominent football clubs, aimed at enhancing the Saudi Pro League’s revenue.

Early Life

Born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, Karim Mostafa Benzema has Algerian roots despite his French nationality. Growing up in a Muslim household as one of eight siblings, Karim practiced fasting during Ramadan, a tradition that remains important to him. He began his competitive soccer journey at the age of eight.

Career

Benzema’s journey began when he scored two goals against Lyon’s youth team in a U-10 match, leading to a trial with the French club and securing a spot in their youth academy. After serving as a ballboy for senior matches, he tallied 38 goals at the U-16 level. Subsequently, he was elevated to Lyon’s reserve team, and in 2004, he joined the senior squad.

Following a successful debut, Karim signed a three-year contract with Lyon. The next season saw him experience Champions League play for the first time, marking it with his inaugural goal. With his growing potential, Benzema earned more playing time and ascended to the role of lead striker. From that moment on, he became a prolific goal-scorer, delivering hat-tricks, doubles, and critical goals in Champions League encounters.

In 2008, Benzema signed a new contract, placing him among the highest-paid soccer players in France. He emerged as the league’s top scorer and was nominated for the 2008 Ballon d’Or. This elevated his market value, prompting Lyon to assign a 100-million euro price tag on him, as interest from larger clubs surged for the talented striker.

Gonzalo

Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

In 2009, an offer was accepted by Lyon from Real Madrid for Benzema. The Spanish club extended a proposal of 35 million euros with an additional 41 million euros in incentives. Following the signing of a six-year contract, Benzema started off as a substitute for Los Blancos, which resulted in criticism from the Spanish media. His situation improved significantly after scoring a crucial goal, leading to a better integration into the team.

Nonetheless, with Jose Mourinho’s arrival as the new manager of Real Madrid in 2010, Benzema once again found himself out of favor. Mourinho expressed doubts about Karim’s capability to perform as a striker for the squad; however, due to injuries that affected other players, Benzema managed to secure a spot in the starting eleven. Seizing this chance, Karim scored a hat-trick in the Champions League and added three more goals against Levante in the Copa del Rey. During this time, he also began to forge a partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.

After earning Mourinho’s commendations, Karim lost 18 pounds and gained muscle mass during the summer ahead of the 2011-12 season. The results were remarkable, as the French forward netted eight goals in just seven matches. This marked the onset of Benzema’s peak phase as a striker. Subsequently, he broke Zidane’s record to become La Liga’s leading French goalscorer and won the French Footballer of the Year award multiple times over the subsequent years.

In the 2013-14 season, Karim formed part of a formidable attacking trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Collectively, they amassed 97 goals that season. Prior to the commencement of the next season, Benzema secured a new five-year contract with Real Madrid. His form remained largely consistent in the years that followed, and in 2020, he signed a contract renewal ensuring his stay at the club until 2022. That same year, Benzema achieved the milestone of scoring his 250th goal for Los Blancos.

Beyond his club commitments, Benzema made his debut in a major international competition for France at Euro 2008. He continued to participate in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. By the 2014 World Cup, he had secured a place in the squad. However, controversies and scandals led to his exclusion from both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. In 2019, Benzema voiced his frustration regarding his effective removal from the French national team, even hinting at the possibility of representing a different country in the future, such as Algeria.

Relationships

Two children have been welcomed by Karim Benzema and his wife, Cora Gauthier.

Lack of Support in France

A significant lack of support from the citizens of his home country has plagued Benzema’s international career. In 2006, he essentially acknowledged a preference for playing with the Algerian national team, yet chose France because of its higher quality. This revelation was not well received by French fans. Additionally, Karim faced criticism for his reluctance to sing the French national anthem before matches.

Legal Issues

A French investigation into four national team members was initiated in 2010, including Karim Benzema. Allegations surfaced that Benzema and his teammates had participated as clients in a prostitution ring. More seriously, Benzema was accused of engaging the services of a 16-year-old girl. Though charged with solicitation of a minor prostitute, the accusations were dismissed in 2014 due to insufficient evidence.

In 2015, French police arrested Benzema following Mathieu Valbuena’s allegations of blackmail. Karim reportedly approached his teammate with a secret sex tape featuring Mathieu in a compromising situation. The general consensus perceived that Karim had attempted to blackmail his teammate to secure a position in the French national starting lineup.

team, considering that both Valbuena and he played as strikers. This led to the suspension of Benzema by France, although his indictment for blackmail was subsequently overturned by the French judicial system.

The data spans the years 2023 and 2024, and projections extend into 2025 and 2026. Additionally, the forecast data has been broadened to include 2027 and 2028.

* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:

Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.

Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.

Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.

Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.

Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.