Karim Benzema: More than a forward

Three goals in five official games is a figure more than respectable. They are the numbers of Karim Benzema in this early season, but Karim is much more. French is a complete striker, a player who occupies the whole front of attack and is not limited to the goal area. His capacity to associate with peers is available in very few strikers in Europe and Mourinho knows how to exploit it.

Karim Benzema

Benzema is capable of playing in both wings - Alves went crazy when Karim played in the left wing in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup - and offering different resources to Real's attack. Against Dinamo Zagreb completed 22 passes correctly, only one less than Mesut Özil and same as Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of the white offensive. He did not score because he found the crossbar in the first half but was one of the best.

Few strikers can boast of not scoring at a match and be the best player of the team. Also occurred in Zaragoza, so it's no coincidence. The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium now enjoys a Benzema devoted to the cause, a tireless campaigner and the first "defender". He defends as the most and is the one to initiate defensive work to steal the ball to the opponent team. And Mourinho likes.

We do not discover anything if we say that Benzema is one of the spoiled child in the club. In the management area at the Bernabeu are reaping the benefits betting on him. They knew when they signed him that they did not sign a player for a year or two. Karim has finished exploding and the managers are delighted with his performance, because it was exactly what was expected of him. "Now he understands football as I understand it", Mourinho said. When Karim understands something, understands it beautifully.

Squad: Karim Benzema (9)

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was born in Lyon, France on 19 December 1987 to a working class family originally from northern Algeria; roots that defined his mature yet simple character. The early days of his life as a footballer began at the age of 9 with Olympique Lyonnais, a club he had never left until signing for Real Madrid. He was one of the youth system’s most outstanding players and scored 38 goals in one season with the Under-16 side followed by the UEFA European Under-17 title with France in 2004. He debuted with Lyon’s first team on 15 January 2005 against Metz. Although he did not score, he did provide an assist to Bryan Bergougnoux, who scored the winning goal. Despite the fact that Benzema had been crowned champion of Europe, club staff didn’t want to rush the player’s development and only played him in six matches that season. He did however go on to score 12 goals in 14 matches with France’s Under-18 side.

The following year he played in 13 matches, scored one goal and made his Champions League debut against Rosenborg. He played in 21 matches and scored five goals in 2006/07, but Benzema really exploded onto the scene in 2007/08. Lyon won the Ligue 1 title for the seventh straight year as well as the Coupe de France. It was also the year he debuted with the French national team. On 28 March 2007 Benzema suited up for Les Bleus against Austria and scored his first international goal. The major thorn in his side was the 2008 Euro after France fell in the opening round. This season was especially bittersweet for the striker. His coach kept him on a relatively tight leash, allowing Benzema to score just 17 goals in 36 matches. Despite being eliminated by Barcelona in the Last 16 of the Champions League, Benzema did manage to score five goals in Europe’s top competition.

Benzema’s football is based on tremendous strength, his wicked moves, unlimited ball skills and a superb strike. The Madridista striker is intelligent and dominates every facet of what his position demands. He is an animal inside the box when his team needs him and he is the perfect man to initiate a counter-attack when his teammates feel pressured.

Data

• Place of Birth: Lyon, France
• Date of Birth: 19/12/1987
• Position: Forward
• Weight: 83.5 kg
• Height: 184.1 cm
• Nationality: French

Honours

• Copa del Rey: 2011
• Ligue 1: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
• Coupe de France: 2008
• Trophée de Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007

Benzema: "I hope to stay here for many years"

Benzemas scored two goals against Hertha Berlin

Double against Hertha and you look better...
Yes, teammates passed me many balls. I scored two goals. Everything went well. I'm very happy with the start of the preseason. I'm working very hard.

What did you make this summer to get better?

Work hard. I feel better about my body, with much more confidence.

Do you feel starter?
I work for that. Inside my head is to be one of the best strikers but we are in preseason. I feel great and I'm fighting to become Real Madrid's starting striker.

What does Mourinho talk to you?
It's a great coach for me. He always tells me to work, not stop.

And Zidane?
It's special to me to have Zidane so close because he helps me. He speaks my language and gives me confidence.

Spanish Super Cup approaches. Is it necessary to strike first to Barcelona?
We have to take things slowly and not think about the Spanish Super Cup just yet. We must only focus on our next preseason match. I don't know if this is the best squad in Real Madrid history, but we're a very good team and we hope to fight for all titles.

Were you at some point outside the club?

I have not seen myself outside of Real Madrid. The coach and the club have faith in me and that's very important to me. I will always work hard in order to play. I hope to stay here for many years.

Wenger will offer 30 million euro for Benzema

Arsenal wants to gain the services of Karim Benzema. The English side is willing to pay 30 million euros for the Real Madrid striker, if Nasri and Cesc leave Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is trying to convince the Arsenal directors to make an economic effort by the French player.

Karim Benzema

It would be the most expensive signing in the history of the club, but the template would be seriously devalued with the probable transfer of Cesc to Barcelona, and Nasri to Manchester City. The French coach is convinced that the arrival of Benzema would be a dramatic effect on both the locker room and for the fans, who already have six years without celebrating a title. Besides, Karim's arrival would help Wenger to overcome the criticism he has received in recent months.

Real Madrid '9' is an old aspiration of Arsenal coach, who already tried to sign when he played for the Olympique Lyon. At that time, Florentino Perez was ahead of all clubs and went to the player's home to close his engagement. Also, Arsenal needs a striker because his reference striker, the Dutchman Van Persie, could only play 25 games of the Premiership (18 goals) due to injury.

Benzema has been reaffirmed this year as a reliable option in the Madrid attack. In his first season in white (He cost 35 million euros) only managed nine goals, but has been with the arrival of Mourinho when he has shown his potential. The Frenchman has played a great second round, getting to finish the season with 26 goals.

Benzema: Fined by driving recklessly in Ibiza

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker, was fined on Wednesday early morning by Ibiza police for reckless driving after discovering that he and two friends were making races through the center of the city. As reported by an internet portal, the French player paid the fine of 250 euros in cash.

Benzema's blue Porsche at Ibiza

Benzema, at the wheel of a blue Porsche, was intercepted by agents in the popular area of '​​Vara de Rey' after that was activated an emergency device by the police, shortly before one o'clock, knowing that three cars were doing races and performing dangerous stunts on the streets closest to the port of Ibiza. In addition to his Porsche, in racing were involved two other luxury cars, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.

Benzema is on the island of Ibiza to enjoy his holidays with a group of friends. According to the media, was not the only incident that occurred during the night for similar reasons and with Benzema as the protagonist. Several people reported that about ten o'clock at night, the same vehicles were seen at high speed through the area of ​​'8 de Agosto' Avenue, and other sources said that at half past eleven one of these vehicles was involved in an accident with minimal damage at 'Marina Botafoch' Street. The Benzema's Porsche was seen doing donuts in 'Vara de Rey' before his car and his friends were intercepted by police units.

Interview: Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema only thinks about succeed in Real Madrid. He feels he has played very well in the second leg of the season and nobody will stop him. He is convinced that in his boots is to triumph at Real Madrid and please Mourinho.

Karim Benzema

"I scored 30 goals this season with Real Madrid and France, so I think it was a good year. I started to play a lot more beginning in January, and I knew good things would happen once I grew more confident. I feel good playing for Real Madrid. I love the fans, the people and the stadium. I will be there for many years to come".

"We scored 102 goals this season, which is a lot for a team they say is defense-oriented. Real Madrid has what it takes to win the treble. Ending the 18-year drought without winning the "Copa del Rey" was good for us, but we want more. This club must win everything. It’s what you learn and feel from the moment you sign on. Personally speaking, I think I still have room for improvement. I think you will see an even better me next season because I feel good physically and mentally".

"Mourinho loves to win, and so do I. He has helped me grow as a footballer and a person. He expects a lot from me, but he has helped me improve. I now know what I want from myself and I know I can give it to him. I must prove that I can play for this team. I know it will be hard to earn a spot, but it all depends on me".

"The new signings are all very good. They will help us a lot next season. Sahin was the best player in the Bundesliga, and all the best players want to play for Real. Agüero also have the quality to play in Madrid (smiles)".

"Cristiano’s 41 league goals will be very hard to match. I am very happy for him. He is an excellent player who doesn’t only score a lot, but helps others score, too. We understand each other well".

"I think I have a shot at next season’s Ballon d’Or. I play for the best team in the world, we have the European Championship next summer and we have a super team. Looking back on my matches and goals this season, I think I can do it. Next season will be even better than this won. I want to win it all".

Link

Benzema will stay in Real Madrid

Karim Benzema started late in his second season in Real Madrid. He received criticism from his coach and some whistles from the Santiago Bernabéu fans because they demanded him more. But since January has earned the respect of teammates, the coaching staff and fans, who said goodbye him on Saturday for this year, with a standing ovation and admiration.

His end result was good: 26 goals in 48 games. 20 with the right foot, 4 left and 2 with the head. He is the second top scorer of the team behind Cristiano Ronaldo. In League he has played 33 games (20 starts) with 15 goals (11 at home and 4 away). In the Champions League, participated in 8 matches, with 6 goals (4 at home and 2 away) and played 7 Spanish Cup matches and made ​​5 goals (4 home, 1 away). This year, in addition to attack and score goals, he has learned back to defend, to play as a team, to make coverages... For all this and the projection he still has, Benzema has passed the final exam with high marks and will remain in the team next season.

Benzema celebrates his last goal against Almería 

Mourinho insisted on making him a top player and made ​​him work hard from day one. "Karim is intelligent and I hope he understands what has to do to play more. From the bench, the match is looked very well, the opponent's defensive moves, changes, aggressiveness... is aperfect place. He has been 90 minutes and sooner or later he will understand it" Mourinho said. Now the coach praises him in public but has not yet explained why the French was ignored in the four Classics (only played 56 minutes in the League match against Barcelona).

The public and private shots of the Portuguese coach and Higuain's injury made ​​him react. Mourinho has recovered the best version of the French player. Mourinho has been convinced in the past six months, but wants more and it has been communicated to the player. In addition, the trust that Laurent Blanc has given him in the French national team has helped Benzema to be a competitive player with hunger for goals. Now he goes on vacation. Milan, Inter, Juventus and Manchester would want to sign him. For Real Madrid he is not for sale.

Juventus, Benzema and Lass

Florentino Perez met Thursday in Madrid with the CEO of Juventus, Beppe Marotta. According to all the Italian media, the Juventus' target is to get the Benzema's signing or loan, the transfer of Lass and the assignment of Garay. They also asked about Arbeloa. According to Real Madrid, during lunch there was no talk of players. At the lunch also spoke the technical secretary of the Italian team, Fabio Paratici, whio featured reports on Chiellini, a tough and experienced international defender, 27 years old.

Florentino Perez

Juventus have made ​​a bad season. It is the seventh in the Italian League and is out of Europe. The gap with its historic rivals, AC Milan (Italian champion) and Inter has been getting bigger every season since "Moggigate", but other teams with less history than the Juventus, as Napoli, Udinese and Lazio have also passed them in recent years. This forces the Juve to recover the lost prestige in the field and in the courts. So the approach to Real Madrid and its players. The problem for the Turin team is that does not have much money.

However, the agent of Benzema, Karim Djaziri has played down the claims: "At the moment there is nothing and I think Benzema will stay at Real Madrid even next season because he is happy there. The rest is just talk", Djaziri told.

Then, there is the case of Lass. Sahin's arrival has unnerved Lass, which could leave Real Madrid this summer. The French midfielder met last Monday with his agent, John Williams, at the Mirasierra Suites hotel. The agent visited the white team to discuss the future of Lass at the request of the player. The midfielder fears that next season has still less prominence in the Mourinho's team. So he ordered his agent to talk to Real Madrid about his wishes to change at the end of this season.

Lass is a player with a good lineup in England and that is the destination that pleases him. In fact, last winter the midfielder already received an offer to return to the Premier, but Madrid closed its doors. Anyway, now Mourinho is not willing to keep him if he wants a change. The presence of Xabi and Khedira, the success of Pepe's presence in midfield and the arrival of Sahin, cause that Lass does not see a clear future in Madrid.

Benzema injured at the match France-Croatia

The alarm was raised last night in Paris. Karim Benzema, perhaps the fittest man of Real Madrid, retired injured on Tuesday friendly match that faced France and Croatia, which finished goalless. French striker requested the substitution as precaution. While he retired from the field, replaced by Gameiro in minute 74, he touched the back of his left thigh.

As soon as he arrived to the bench, this area was bandaged. In a first scan, French doctors had the impression that it could be a tear, not a rupture, which would be a injury estimate time from one week to 10 days. This Wednesday, after his arrival in Madrid, there will be more tests to determine the exact extent of his ailment.

Karim Benzema

If those first analysis are confirmed, Benzema would be out of the Champions League quarterfinal tie against Tottenham. He would lost the League match against Sporting Gijón, this day, and get very fair to play against Athletic Bilbao next week.

In other way, the player had no bad feelings after finishing the game, so even though it is possible that injury was more than a tear, everything can be a fright. However, it is difficult for the French striker, currently uncontested Mourinho's stiker, can play against Gijon at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

The concern last night at Real Madrid's technical team was evident. Although it is not a major injury, the two matches against Tottenham in Champions League tournament will play in just one week and Karim is considered essential.

Benzema vs Villa: Other duel

The excellent goalscorer sequence of Karim Benzema, 10 goals in the final eight games of Real Madrid, has enabled the French to match the scorer record of David Villa. At this point, both added 21 goals in League, Spanish Cup and Champions League. Real Madrid striker has balanced a battle that, not so long ago, seemed almost decanted for the blue and red striker.

Karim Benzema

The gap between Benzema and Villa has gone in a few weeks. The French is, with Messi, the best scorer in the second round of the League (nine goals), while the last goal by Villa came in week 25 in Mallorca. Since then, four matches of League and one of the Champions League without a goal.

Interestingly, the comparison between the two attackers was fueled by José Mourinho. It was October 26, 2010, at the press conference before the visit of Real Madrid to Alicante, while he explained the inclusion in the list of Benzema: "He is called, but is not playing well. But there are teams that have players that also have a hard time and not score a goal against anyone".

Beyond the amounts paid by Madrid and Barcelona, 36 and 40 million euros respectively, the recipient of Mou's dart was evident. At that time, Villa totaled two goals in the League for only one of Benzema. However, the words seemed to spur “Guaje” Villa who, from that time, began to improve his numbers dramatically. In fact, now totals 17 goals in the League, with four doubles and shared the podium with the stratospheric top scorers Cristiano and Leo Messi. 

Benzema takeoff was delayed in time. In fact, after Gonzalo Higuain's injury, Mourinho insisted on signing a striker, considering that Karim did not offer sufficient guarantee for goals. And it was with the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor when Benzema started to score goals more often. The day of Adebayor´s landing in Madrid, Benzema drew a jewel in the first semifinal macth against Sevilla and although 'Manu' seemed to take the lead with two goals, against Sevilla on the second leg and against Real Sociedad in League, Benzema had a chance and took it. Goal against Levante in a minor duel prior to the Champions League visit to Lyon. At Gerland, stadium that saw him become a footballer, reached the definitive turning point. Adebayor was supplied by Karim and in just a minute, he stole the ball and after a great slalom, made the 0-1. Florentino raised his hands to the head.

While in League Villa clearly wins the match by 17-10, Benzema exceeds "Guaje" in Champions 6-3 and Spanish Cup 5-1. The French has only played more minutes than Spanish in the KO tournament: 490-254. In the League the Barcelona player dominates 2305-1406 and in the European competition by 548-357. Which, at this stage of the season, made ​​Benzema a more effective striker: scores every 107 minutes and Villa needs 147.

Champions League (Last-16, 1st Leg): Benzema reactions

BENZEMA: "WE NEEDED THE GOAL"

Karim Benzema

"It was a very special game because it was my club and also for us was very important to score away from home", said Karim Benzema who scored the goal that advanced Real Madrid on the scoreboard and may be gold in the tie.

"I will work to score in every game. For us it was important score in Lyon and the resultis good. I hope the white fans will help us overcome this tie at the Bernabeu", he added.

It was, for French, emotionally intense crash: "In the field was all my family and I could make a goal. It was special".

Adebayor or Benzema: Mourinho decides

Real Madrid has 11 days and three crucial matches ahead: Espanyol (tomorrow), Levante (Saturday 19) and Lyon (Tuesday, 22 February). Mourinho who studies everything in detail, has a dilemma for the first: Adebayor or Benzema. The Portuguese explained the unexpected presence of Adebayor in the starting team in the last league match against Real Sociedad, for reasons of timing: "Karim played in Cup and Wednesday had a pressure game against Brazil where he played 90 minutes. We decided by Adebayor and he demonstrated why is here. We are happy with both. It's the perfect situation".

Adebayor and Benzema

Real Madrid coach now appreciates the consequences of fielding one or the other. The Frenchman has played a great match for his national team (88 minutes, goal) and Adebayor made very good feeling in front of the Real Sociedad (goal) . In addition, Emmanuel is in better condition because he takes training with the group in Valdebebas since last Wednesday, unlike Benzema who arrived on Thursday and only made recovery training. When everyone thinks that 6 has unseated Karim, Mourinho ponders a surprise again with Benzema. The Portuguese want to get him back to the war at a key moment of the season.

Mou is happy with his new 9, but thinks that if Benzema feels like alternate, he will be unmotivated. Zidane's report after the France-Brazil, adviser of the Portuguese in the locker room, has been very good and has to reflect on Mourinho. It keeps the dilemma and he does not displease Karim option.

On the other hand, when in England all spoke of the interest from Liverpool and Arsenal to sign Karim Benzema, yesterday a new club appeared; Tottenham, ready to get into the bidding for the French striker. Many British media said it yesterday. The Spurs, who have money, wanted to sign a striker this winter. They bid for Aguero, Llorente, Negredo and Rossi. None of them came and now the target is Benzema. Tottenham needs a striker and the London club's interest in Benzema is long. They have to wait until summer.