Karim Benzema is a name that resonates with football fans worldwide. With his incredible skills and goal-scoring prowess, he has established himself as one of the finest strikers of his generation.
While his professional success are widely celebrated, it is essential to shed light on the often unseen aspects of his life—the enduring influence of his family.
In this article, i will be spilling the story of Karim Benzema’s family, revealing the bonds, support, and triumphs that have shaped the life and career of this football icon.
Benzema’s Early Life and Upbringing
Karim Benzema, the French footballer, was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France.
He spent his childhood in a lively neighborhood called Bron, which had people from various cultures. Right from the start, he had a love for football.
Even though his family didn’t have much money, Karim’s skills and strong will made him stand out.
At the age of eight, Benzema started playing football for a club called Bron Terraillon, which was in his local area. During a U-10 match, he scored two goals against the Lyon Youth Academy, and that caught the attention of the officials from the Lyon club.
The Lyon officials went to visit him in person and convinced Bron Terraillon to let them buy him.
The president of Bron Terraillon at that time, Serge Santa Cruz, initially refused to sell him. However, after Lyon’s representatives talked with Benzema’s parents, they reached an agreement.
It was during this time that Benzema also worked as a ballboy for Lyon’s senior squad matches.
Parents: Hafid & Wahida Benzema
Karim Benzema has a very close and supportive family that has been there for him throughout his career.
His mom and dad, Hafid and Wahida, played a really important role in helping him grow his talent and chase his dreams. Even though they faced money problems, they made sure Karim had what he needed to follow his passion.
They often put aside their own needs to support his growth.
The Benzema family’s journey to France started in 1950 when Karim’s grandpa, Da Lakehal Benzema, moved from Algeria to France.
Karim’s dad was also born in Algeria but moved to Lyon when he was young. That’s where he met and married Wahida Djebbara, who was from Lyon.
After they got married, the Benzemas had their first child, and then they had eight more children.
Karim was the third youngest among his nine siblings. The family stayed in Lyon, and that’s where Karim’s parents got him enrolled in a local youth soccer club called AS Des Buers Villeurbanne.
People quickly found out that Benzema was really good at scoring goals, and it didn’t take long for Lyon, which was the biggest club in the area and played in the Ligue 1, to sign him up as a promising striker.
Benzema was lucky to play near his home during his early career, and his family supported him as he grew as a player.
When the Benzema family moved from Algeria to France, it was a big help for them. And their son chose to play for France, making his debut for the national team when he was just 19 years old.
The 35 years old has played 97 times for his country and scored 37 goals in international matches.
Benzema Siblings & Extended Family
The French forward has a big and lively family, with eight siblings.
His brothers are named Gressy, Sabri, Farid, and his sisters are Lydia, Nafissa, Laeticia, Sofia, and Celia. They have always been there to support and inspire him.
The bond among the siblings is strong, and they often go to Karim’s matches to stand by him through tough times.
While most of the Benzema family prefers to stay away from the public eye, two of his brothers, Gressy and Sabri, used to play soccer for a while. Gressy had to stop playing due to an injury in 2012 and has since joined his brother’s management team.
Sabri, another one of Karim Benzema’s brothers, also played soccer at a semi-professional level.
It’s known that he had many similar playing characteristics to his famous brother. Despite his talent, Sabri chose not to pursue a professional soccer career and prefers to stay away from the spotlight.
Benzema’s Old & New Wife
Karim Benzema has been in a few serious relationships throughout his life, but he’s very private about his personal life, so not much is known about them.
He was married to Cora Gauthier, who is a fashion blogger and model.
They have a son together and were married from 2017 until recently. They didn’t often appear in photos together and preferred to keep their private life away from the public eye.
Cora is well-known for her modeling career and business skills.
She handles fame well and finds it convenient to work between London and Madrid because Benzema plays for Real Madrid.
However, Benzema dislikes being in the spotlight, so there were very few times they were seen together in pictures.
Apart from being a successful model, Cora Gauthier is also a popular Instagram influencer. She met Benzema while in Dubai, and they quickly became a couple.
They got married in 2017 and had their first child together, a son named Ibrahim.
Reports suggest that Karim Benzema and Cora Gauthier broke up sometime in 2022. Since then, Benzema has been seen with his new partner, Jordan Ozuna, who is an American model.
Ozuna used to work as a waitress at Hooters and turned to modeling, which brought her a lot of attention.
Since they started dating, Benzema and Ozuna have become much closer and have shared several pictures of themselves online.
Using her attractive appearance, the 32-year-old has worked with different modeling agencies such as State Management, Caroline Gleason Management, Tricia Brink Management, and The Salt Agency.
Ozuna admitted that she didn’t know who Karim Benzema was before they met. Being from America, she wasn’t well-informed about European soccer news.
She also shared that she has embraced the Islamic faith. Ozuna, who is also the mother of Benzema’s fourth child, talked about her decision to convert to Islam.
In a sincere revelation, the beautiful American model shared that her conversion ceremony happened at the Madrid Mosque.
She couldn’t hold back her tears as the experience was deeply meaningful to her.
Karim Benzema’s Children
During his relationship with Chloe de Launay, Karim had two daughters. They met in 2009.
They had a daughter named Melia, who is now 8 years old, and another daughter named Nouri, who is 3 years old. However, their relationship ended because there were accusations of Karim being unfaithful.
Karim had a son named Ibrahim, who is 5 years old, during an affair with Cora Gauthier. Ibrahim was born in May 2017.
Jordan will be the third woman with whom the Lyon-born striker is having a child.
It’s uncertain if there will be more children in the future, as the couple seems to be very happy together. However, they prefer to keep everything private and secret.
The Benzema Foundation
Besides his football career, he has actively worked on charitable projects.
In 2006, he started the Karim Benzema Foundation with the goal of helping disadvantaged children in France and Algeria get education support and opportunities.
Through his foundation, he has sponsored different activities such as scholarships, and improving schools, and sports programs.
His efforts have positively influenced the lives of many young individuals.
Challenges and Victories
He has faced obstacles on his path to success.
In 2015, he dealt with legal troubles involving a blackmail scandal. However, he stayed strong, proved his innocence, and refocused on his football career.
His determination, along with the unwavering support of his family, played a crucial role in overcoming this tough time.
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