How many goals has Karim Benzema scored during his career? Al-Ittihad superstar's crazy stats in full

In a shock move, Benzema left Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 after 14 trophy-laden seasons at the Bernabeu, following in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps and becoming the second global superstar to quit European football for Saudi Pro League adventure.

Al-Ittihad come off of an emphatic title win over Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and are considered the dominant force in Saudi Arabia. Add a five-time Champions League winner and current Ballon d'Or holder to the mix, as well as a sprinkling of other high-profile signings, they are the odds-on favourites to repeat their success from last season.

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.

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 and his head, despite being typically right-footed.

Benzema recorded 66 goals in 148 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, several player of the month awards.

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.

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.