Karim Mostafa Benzema is a French footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and the French national football team as a striker. He is described as an "immensely-talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box". Benzema was born in the city of Lyon and began his football career with local club Bron Terraillon. In 1996, he joined the biggest club in the city, Olympique Lyonnais and, subsequently, came through the club's youth academy. Benzema made his professional debut in the 2004?05 season and appeared sporadically in his first three seasons as Lyon won three titles in that span. In the 2007?08 season, Benzema became a starter and had a breakthrough year scoring over 30 goals as Lyon won its seventh straight league title. For his performances, he was named the National Union of Professional Footballers Ligue 1 Player of the Year and named to the organization's Team of the Year. Benzema was also the league's top scorer and given the Bravo Award by Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo. 

December 19th, 1987 in Lyon (Age 36)