Karim Benzema has long been regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, but just how many times in total has he found the net?
Karim Benzema has long been regarded as one of the most well-rounded forwards in the game and his recent Ballon d’Or win confirmed his status as one of the greatest of his generation.
He has been a constant presence for Real Madrid for over a decade, but he has not always been the dominant force at the Santiago Bernabeu as he spent a large chunk of his career in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Known for his exceptional work-rate, potent finishing and playmaking, the Frenchman sacrificed his own attacking returns for many seasons to be an amazing provider for the Portuguese star, who garnered all the media attention.
However, since Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, Benzema’s rise has been a meteoric one. His reputation as one of the world’s best operators in European football has risen multi-folds year after year, as has his goal-scoring output.
As they say, he is ageing like a fine wine and if anything he only seems to be getting better with age.
But just how many goals has he scored so far?
In 2009, Benzema joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €35 million, rising to €41 million based on add-ons.
However, he had a rough start at his new club as he scored just nine in 33 appearances in his debut season.
He eventually came good, though, and following Gareth Bale’s then-record transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo forged one of Europe’s most fearsome attacking trios, dubbed the BBC.
However, the French star’s selfless contributions, work ethic, and ability to creating plays and spaces for others to exploit seemingly went unnoticed at times.
Now that Ronaldo has left the Santiago Bernabeu, however, Benzema is finally thriving more and getting the spotlight he deserves.
He is currently second on the all-time scoring list for Madrid and fourth on all-time UEFA Champions League charts, with former team-mate Ronaldo topping both podiums.
| Season | Games | Goals |
| 2022-23 | 14 | 9 |
| 2021-22 | 46 | 44 |
| 2020-21 | 46 | 30 |
| 2019-20 | 48 | 27 |
| 2018-19 | 53 | 30 |
| 2017-18 | 47 | 12 |
| 2016-17 | 48 | 19 |
| 2015-16 | 36 | 28 |
| 2014-15 | 46 | 22 |
| 2013-14 | 52 | 24 |
| 2012-13 | 50 | 20 |
| 2011-12 | 52 | 32 |
| 2010-11 | 48 | 26 |
| 2009-10 | 33 | 9 |
| Total | 619 | 332 |
Benzema began his youth career with Bron before joining boyhood club Lyon in 1997. He progressed through the youth ranks and then made his first senior appearance for the French outfit in 2005.
He assisted Lyon’s second goal and subsequently went on to sign his first professional contract with the club.
Despite his tender years, Benzema earned a reputation for himself as a lethal finisher from within the box with either foot or his head, despite being typically right-footed.
Benzema recorded 43 goals in 112 competitive appearances for Lyon and later became one of France’s highest-paid players after renewing his contract in 2008.
During his time at Lyon, he earned himself the Ligue 1 top scorer, French Cup top scorer, and several player of the month awards.
| Season | Games | Goals |
| 2008-09 | 47 | 23 |
| 2007-08 | 52 | 31 |
| 2006-07 | 27 | 8 |
| 2005-06 | 16 | 4 |
| 2004-05 | 6 | 0 |
| Total | 148 | 66 |
Benzema goals for France
It’s safe to say Benzema’s international career has been a turbulent one, full of controversy.
In 2006, before his international career even started, he spoke openly about his desire to play for the Algerian national team, the native country of both of his parents, but would play for France for only sporting reasons.
In 2015, Noel Le Graet, the president of the FFF, suspended the striker indefinitely from the national team after he was arrested by police for his alleged involvement in blackmailing fellow France international player Mathieu Valbuena.
He didn’t appear for France between 2016-2020 and this absence has tainted his CV. He was called back by Didier Deschamps in 2021
Since his return, he has been showing what France missed out on and he also helped them win a Nations League trophy.
| Season | Games | Goals |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 9 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 | 13 | 7 |
| 2013 | 10 | 3 |
| 2012 | 12 | 2 |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 | 3 |
| 2009 | 8 | 3 |
| 2008 | 11 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 | 3 |
| Total | 97 | 37 |
Benzema goals in total for club and country
Benzema could have been forgiven for thinking his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were dead and buried, with him now into his mid-thirties.
But the Real Madrid talisman lifted the prestigious trophy on October 17 following a spectacular 2021-22 season with his club as well as a comeback to international football with his country, France.
In fact, the Frenchman became the oldest winner of the award since 1956, when Englishman Stanley Matthews won the very first edition of Ballon d’Or at the veteran age of 41.
Benzema hasn’t had any long-term devastating injuries in his career, so there’s no reason to believe he doesn’t have several years left in the tank, and will be vying for his next Ballon d’Or.
| Team | Games | Goals |
| Real Madrid | 619 | 332 |
| Lyon | 148 | 66 |
| France | 97 | 37 |
| Total | 863 | 435 |
(Goal)
