The UEFA Champions League is considered to be the biggest European football cup competition.

Since its inception in 1955 and later rebranded in 1992, the UEFA Champions League is the most-watched football club competition in the world and the third most-watched football competition overall, only behind the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.

Football players dream of playing for their respective clubs in the Champions League and also aspire to score goals in the prestigious football club competition.

Over the years, fans have witnessed some of the most memorable goals scored by Europe’s top football stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the Champions League’s all-time top-scorer. The former Manchester United talisman has netted 141 goals, which is a record for the most goals in Champions League history.

Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi features second on the Champions League all-time top-scorers list with 129 goals.

The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Raul Gonzalez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andriy Shevchenko, Thierry Henry, Filippo Inzaghi and Thomas Muller are the other players to score 50 goals in Champions League history.

Interestingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy was the fastest to 50 Champions League goals while Lionel Messi was the quickest to 100 goals in the competition.

Get most goals in Champions League: Know the all-time top-scorers in UCL history.

Most goals in Champions League: Know the all-time top-scorers in UCL history

Player	Span	Matches Played	Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo	2003-2022	187	141
Lionel Messi	2005-2023	163	129
Robert Lewandowski	2011-present	122	96
Karim Benzema	2005-2023	152	90
Raul Gonzalez	1995-2011	144	71
Ruud van Nistelrooy	1998-2009	73	60
Andriy Shevchenko	1994-2012	116	59
Thomas Muller	2009-present	154	54
Thierry Henry	1997-2012	115	51
Filippo Inzaghi	1997-2012	81	50

Cristiano Ronaldo | 141 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in Champions League history. The Portuguese star is the all-time top-scorer in UCL history with 141 goals in 187 matches. Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal while playing for Manchester United against AS Roma in the second leg of their quarter-final clash at Old Trafford in April 2007. Since then, Ronaldo netted 22 UCL goals for Manchester United, an astonishing 105 goals for Real Madrid and registered 14 strikes for Juventus in the competition. 

Lionel Messi | 129 goals

Lionel Messi features second on the list for the most goals in Champions League history. The former FC Barcelona talisman netted his first Champions League goal against Panathinaikos in their 5-0 win at Camp Nou in November 2005. The Argentine football team captain scored 120 goals in 149 appearances for his boyhood club Barcelona in the UCL, which is a record for the most Champions League goals for one club with Ronaldo second on the list with 105 goals for his former club Real Madrid. Messi later scored nine UCL goals for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Robert Lewandowski | 96 goals

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is third on the list for the most goals in Champions League history. While playing for his former Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, Lewandowski scored his first Champions League goal in a 1-3 away defeat to Olympiacos in October 2011. Since then, Lewandowski netted 17 goals for Dortmund in the Champions League, scored 69 goals for Bayern Munich in the UCL and has recorded 16 strikes for Barcelona in the competition so far.

Photo credit: Imago

The Saudi Pro League 2024-25 began on August 22, 2024 and will conclude on May 26, 2024.

Organised by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 is the 49th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs.

As per the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 schedule, as many as 18 teams will compete in a total 306 matches over a span of nine months. Each team will play the other 17 sides twice in a home-and-away format. 

Al-Kholood, Al-Orobah, and Al-Qadsiah FC are the three promoted clubs that are featuring in Saudi Pro League 2024-25. These three teams have replaced Abha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Tai who were relegated to the Saudi First Division League 2024-25 .

Al-Hilal SFC are the defending champions of the Saudi Pro League, having pipped Al-Nassr FC by 14 points to clinch their 19th league title last season.

Meanwhile, the likes of Al-Nassr FC, Al-Ahli Saudi, Al-Taawoun FC, Al-Ittihad Club, Al-Ettifaq FC and newly-promoted Al Qadsiah FC are expected to offer a strong challenge to reigning champions Al-Hilal SFC in the 2024-25 season.

Apart from the league title, all eyes will be on the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 top-scorers race.

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo pipped Aleksandar Mitrović of Al-Hilal to win the Golden Boot in the Saudi Pro League last season. The Portuguese star netted 35 goals in just 31 appearances in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24.

Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrović, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Neymar, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Talisca, Firas Al-Buraikan, Odion Ighalo, Malcom and Bernard Mensah will be in the race for the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 Golden Boot.

Some of the talented Saudi local stars will also aim to impress in the ongoing Saudi Pro League.

Here’s a look at the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 top-scorers list:

Saudi Pro League 2024-25 top scorers list

Player	Club	Matches	Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr FC	2	2
Craig Goodwin	Al-Wehda FC	1	2
Talisca	Al-Nassr FC	2	2
Julián Quiñones	Al-Qadsiah FC	2	2
Aleksandar Mitrović	Al-Hilal SFC	1	2
Turki Al-Ammar	Al-Qadsiah FC	1	1
Bernard Mensah	Al-Riyadh SC	1	1
Lucas Kal	Al-Riyadh SC	1	1
Djaniny	Al-Fateh SC	2	1
Marcelo Brozovic	Al-Nassr FC	2	1

Photo credit: Alamy

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as the highest paid footballer 2024, according to the annual list released by Forbes.

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo pipped Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) talisman Kylian Mbappé to be listed as the highest paid footballer in the world.

As per the Forbes list, Ronaldo also edged Spanish professional golfer Jon Rahm to become the world’s highest paid athlete, leading the list for the fourth time in his career with an estimated total earnings of $260 million.

Since his much-talked about transfer from Manchester United to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, Ronaldo earned a whopping $200 million annual salary at his club over the last 12 months.

Apart from his massive on-field earnings, the Portuguese star raked in $60 million through multiple endorsement deals, including with his partners crypto exchange Binance and fitness app Erakulis. Nike, Herbalife, Clear Hair Care and recently, Whoop are some of the other brand deals Ronaldo has ties with.

Additionally, the Portugal national football captain is also owed a $10.5 million check from his former club, Juventus, after an arbitrator ruled the Serie A team was still on the hook for outstanding wages dating back to a Covid-19 pandemic pay cut.

On the other hand, Lionel Messi earned $135 million over the past one year, largely thanks to his huge $65 million annual salary with Inter Miami, which is now the second-most valuable franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS) at $1.03 billion. 

Messi also earned another $70 million off the field, from his numerous endorsement deals including Adidas, Apple, Konami and Lowe’s.

Apart from Ronaldo and Messi, PSG forward Kylian Mbappé features sixth in the top 10 list of highest paid athletes in the world and is currently the third highest paid footballer.

The French professional footballer raked in a combined $110 million through on field and off field earnings. Mbappé currently earns $90 million at PSG while the remaining $20 million has come through various endorsements.

Neymar and Karim Benzema are the other two players from the Saudi Pro League to feature in the highest paid football players 2024 list. Get list of highest paid footballers 2024.

Highest paid footballers 2024

Athlete	On-Field	Off-Field	Earnings Value	Overall Ranking
Cristiano Ronaldo	$200 million	$60 million	$260 million	1
Lionel Messi	$65 million	$70 million	$135 million	3
Kylian Mbappé	$90 million	$20 million	$110 million	6
Neymar	$80 million	$28 million	$108 million	7
Karim Benzema	$100 million	$6 million	$106 million	8

Highest paid athletes 2024

Athlete	Sport	On-Field	Off-Field	Earnings Value	Overall Ranking
Cristiano Ronaldo	Football	$200 million	$60 million	$260 million	1
Jon Rahm	Golf	$198 million	$20 million	$218 million	2
Lionel Messi	Football	$65 million	$70 million	$135 million	3
LeBron James	Basketball	$48.2 million	$80 million	$128.2 million	4
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Basketball	$46 million	$65 million	$111 million	5
Kylian Mbappé	Football	$90 million	$20 million	$110 million	6
Neymar	Football	$80 million	$28 million	$108 million	7
Karim Benzema	Football	$100 million	$6 million	$106 million	8
Stephen Curry	Basketball	$52 million	$50 million	$102 million	9
Lamar Jackson	American football	$98.5 million	$2 million	$100.5 million	10

Photo credit: Alamy

The Saudi Pro League 2023-24 started on August 11, 2023 and will conclude on May 27, 2024.

Ahead of the new season, the Saudi Pro League made few changes. The number of teams have increased from 16 to 18 clubs from the 2023-24 season. 

Four teams were promoted from the Saudi First Division League 2022-23, and only two teams were be relegated from the Saudi Pro League instead of the usual three.

As many as 18 teams will compete in a total of 306 matches over a span of nine months. 

Al-Ahli, Al-Hazem, Al-Okhdood, and Al-Riyadh are the four promoted clubs that will feature in the 48th edition of the Saudi Professional League. 

Al-Ittihad Club are the defending champions of the Saudi Pro League, having pipped Al-Nassr FC by five points to clinch their ninth league title last season.

The likes of Al-Ahli Saudi, Al-Hilal, Al-Taawoun FC, Al-Ettifaq FC and Al-Nassr FC are expected to offer a strong challenge to reigning champions Al-Ittihad in the 2023-24 season.

Apart from the league title, all eyes will be on the race for the top-scorer in Saudi Pro League 2023-24.

Several top European footballers including the likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Sadio Mane have followed Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi top-division league.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished as the top-scorer in the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023, will be a leading contender to take home the Golden Boot in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24.

Some of the talented Saudi local stars will also aim to impress in the ongoing Saudi Pro League. Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season. He netted 21 goals in 26 appearances in Saudi Pro League 2022-23.

Here’s a look at the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 top-scorers list:

Saudi Pro League 2023-24 top scorers list

Rank	Player	Club	Matches	Goals
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr FC	18	20
2	Aleksandar Mitrovic	Al-Hilal SFC	17	17
3	Georges-Kevin N'Koudou	Damac FC	17	14
4	Talisca	Al-Nassr FC	14	11
5	Firas Al-Buraikan	Al-Ahli Saudi FC	17	11
6	Abderrazak Hamdallah	Al-Ittihad Club	14	10
7	Karim Benzema	Al-Ittihad Club	15	9
8	Salem Al-Dawsar	Al-Hilal SFC	18	9
9	Malcom	Al-Hilal SFC	18	9
10	Bernard Mensah	Al-Tai FC	15	9

Photo credit: Alamy

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest paid footballer of 2023, according to the annual list released by Forbes.

Having joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr FC in January 2023 after his second spell with Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has earned a whopping $260 million over the last 12 months, making him the world’s highest paid athlete.

Ronaldo, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al-Nassr, earns an estimated $214 million per season, making it the highest salary in world football. His weekly wage is around $3.9 million. 

Apart from his on-field earnings which include salary, prize money and bonuses, the Portuguese superstar raked in millions through multiple endorsement deals, appearance fees, licensing income and cash returns from businesses he runs.

Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo pipped long-time rival and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi and Al Hilal SFC Neymar to become the highest paid footballer in the world.

Lionel Messi features second on the list for the highest paid football players of 2023 with total earnings of $135 million.

Messi’s former teammate and Al-Hilal forward Neymar is third on the list with total earnings of $112 million.

Neymar reportedly earns $163.7 million per year at Al-Hilal, a team he joined back in August.

PSG star Kylian Mbappé and former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema complete the top five list for the highest paid football players of 2023.

While Mbappé raked in a combined $110 million through on-field and off-field earnings, Benzema, who joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad this year, earned $106 million over the past one year.

Apart from Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane is the other player from the Saudi Pro League to feature in the highest paid football players of 2023 list. 

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland edged Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and teammate Kevin De Bruyne to become the highest paid footballer player in the Premier League.

Haaland, with total earnings of $58 million, eclipsed Salah ($53 million) and De Bruyne ($39 million). Here’s the full list of highest paid football players of 2023.

Highest paid football players of 2023

Rank	Player	Club	Earnings
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr FC	$260 million
2	Lionel Messi	Inter Miami CF	$135 million
3	Neymar	Al Hilal SFC	$112 million
4	Kylian Mbappé	Paris Saint-Germain	$110 million
5	Karim Benzema	Al-Ittihad Club	$106 million
6	Erling Haaland	Manchester City	$58 million
7	Mohamed Salah	Liverpool FC	$53 million
8	Sadio Mane	Al-Nassr FC	$52 million
9	Kevin De Bruyne	Manchester City	$39 million
10	Harry Kane	FC Bayern Munich	$34 million

 

Photo credit: Alamy

With Lionel Messi coming to MLS this past summer, soccer in the U.S. was forever changed. It led to an immediate impact in the popularity of the sport. Miami FC prices rose to an all time high and the number of MLS Apple subscribers have more than doubled. Moreover, the top US soccer betting sites recognizing that soccer remains the world’s most popular sport, have been promoting Miami FC’s matched on their platform to th point where Miami FC became the second most bet soccer team in the league. 

At the same time, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, a debate has stirred about which superstar is playing in the better league right now. Ronaldo himself has stated that the Saudi League is better than MLS despite never playing in MLS. Let’s explore this topic a little to see if we can determine whether the Saudi Pro League is better than MLS.

Star Power

The biggest reason why there is a debate between the Saudi Pro League and MLS is the fact that Ronaldo and several other stars made the leap from top European clubs to clubs in Saudi Arabia. Bonafide superstars like Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, N'Golo Kanté, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves, Roberto Firmino, and several others have all taken big paydays and joined teams in the Saudi Pro League. Needless to say, that has filled the Saudi Pro League with an abundance of star power.

On the other hand, Messi is only the biggest and latest superstar to move from Europe to MLS. The top-flight league in the U.S. has long attracted top European stars in the twilight of their career. Long before Messi, the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Frank Lampard all joined MLS teams. In other words, MLS was bringing in star players long before the Saudi Pro League was. Among current players, Messi is joined by the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Xherdan Shaqiri, Lorenzo Insigne, and others among former European stars finding a home in MLS.

Overall Quality

The obvious caveat for both the Saudi Pro League and MLS is that their transplants from top European clubs are all past their primes. Even superstars like Messi and Ronaldo aren’t the elite players they once were, even if they still attract fans. To create a strong and competitive league, it takes a deep player pool, not just a dozen superstars.

This is where MLS has a clear advantage over the Saudi Pro League. Outside of stars like Messi, MLS has quality players from all over the world. MLS has a long history of having players called up to national teams despite not always recognizing international breaks. In November 2023, 45 players from the Saudi Pro League left to play for their national teams while MLS had more than twice as many leave their clubs for national team duty. 

Outside of the recent collection of European stars, not all of whom still play internationally, the Saudi Pro League doesn’t send a large collection of players to national teams with some Saudi clubs only having one or two international players on their squad. Only one Saudi club had more than four players on international duty in November whereas nine MLS teams sent five or more players to their national team.

The Verdict

Despite Messi’s presence in MLS, the Saudi Pro League surely has a bigger collection of stars than MLS. However, the overall depth of MLS makes it a better, more competitive league. MLS has more teams, more international players, and also sends its best young players to top European clubs whereas the Saudi Pro League doesn’t. While the Saudi Pro League has done well to acquire big names and excellent talent, from top to bottom, MLS has more quality and should be considered a superior league.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Saudi Pro League 2023-24 football season started on Friday, August 11 as Al-Ahli Saudi FC beat Al-Hazm 3-1 at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

As many as 18 teams will play a total of 34 matches each over nine months over the course of the season. 

Defending champions Al-Ittihad began their Saudi Pro League 2023-24 campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Al-Raed in their away fixture at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on August 14.

Under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, Al-Ittihad rode on Abderrazak Hamdallah’s 58th minute strike and a brace from Brazilian midfielder Igor Coronado to commence their title defence with an impressive victory.

Last season, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men pipped Al-Nassr by five points to clinch their ninth Saudi Pro League crown and their first league title in 14 years. 

Al-Ittihad have further bolstered their squad by signing former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, ex-Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kanté and Portuguese winger Jota.

One of the title favourites, Al-Nassr, went down to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq FC 1-2 in their Saudi Pro League 2023-24 at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

After winning the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023, Al-Nassr missed the services of their captain Cristiano Ronaldo and fielded a weakened side. 

Al Nassr conceded goals from Robin Quaison and Moussa Dembele to lose their opening fixture of the Saudi Pro League 2023-24. Sadio Mane earlier opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the fourth minute.

Led by head coach Luís Castro, Al-Nassr have also strengthened their squad by roping in the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Seko Fofana and Sadio Mane in the summer transfer window.

Al-Hilal are the most successful team in the Saudi Pro League history, having won the title a record 18 times.

Having finished third last season with 59 points from 30 matches, Al-Hilal beat Abha 3-1 in their 2023-24 campaign opener.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal have completed the signing of Brazilian talisman Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of around �?0 million.

Apart from Neymar, Malcom, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly have also joined Al-Hilal.

Al-Ahli, Al-Hazem, Al-Okhdood, and Al-Riyadh are the four newly-promoted clubs in the 2023-24 season.

The Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season will conclude on May 27, 2024.

Where to watch the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season live in India?

Select matches of the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 1 HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season will be available on the SonyLIV app and website in India.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 started on March 2, and concluded on August 12.

Organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA), the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 is officially named the King Salman Club Cup 2023 after Salman of Saudi Arabia.

A total of 37 teams are participating in the 30th edition of the marquee Arab world's club football tournament.

The Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 began with the preliminary and qualifying rounds. The final tournament of the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 is being hosted in Saudi Arabia. 

Abha, Al Bahah, Khamis Mushait and Taif are the four cities hosting the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 matches.

While the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 has a total prize money of $10 million, the winner will be awarded a prize money of $6 million. The runner-up will receive $2.5 million.

Ivorian footballer Salomon Kalou scored the opening goal of the tournament for the Djibouti Premier League outfit Arta Solar 7 in the preliminary round.

Meanwhile, Al-Shorta’s Alaa Abdul-Zahra netted the first goal in the main tournament of the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 during their Group A clash against Club Sfaxien.

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo finished as leading the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 top goal-scorers list. The Al-Nassr captain has scored six goals in as many matches.

Ronaldo was followed by Karim Benzema, who netted three goals in four matches for Al-Ittihad Club.

The likes of Malcom, Zizo, Sayed Abdallah, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Akram Afif, Aso Rostam, Salem Al-Dawsari and Éver Banega have scored two goals in the tournament.

Get Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 top goal-scorers list.

Arab Club Champions Cup 2023 top goal-scorers list

Player	Club	Matches	Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr FC	6	6
Karim Benzema	Al-Ittihad Club	4	3
Malcom	Al-Hilal SFC	2	2
Zizo	Zamalek	3	2
Sayed Abdallah	Zamalek	3	2
Sergej Milinković-Savić	Al-Hilal SFC	4	2
Akram Afif	Al Sadd SC	4	2
Aso Rostam	Al-Shorta SC	5	2
Salem Al-Dawsari	Al-Hilal SFC	5	2
Éver Banega	Al-Shabab FC	5	2

Photo credit: Alamy

Cristiano Ronaldo currently owns the record for most goals in Champions League in one season.

The Portuguese striker scored 17 goals in the 2013-14 season, beating the previous record of 14 goals set by Lionel Messi in the 2011-12 campaign.

Ronaldo came close to breaking his own record twice, in the 2015-16 and in 2017-18 seasons.

In the 2015-16 season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 16-goal tally comprised 11 goals in the group stage alone - a record that stands to this date. Furthermore, he netted three hat-tricks that term, becoming the first to do so in a single edition.

Whereas in the 2017-18 campaign, the Portuguese star scored 15 goals. He earned another record to his name as he became the first and only player to score in all six group matches of a UCL season.

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is fourth on the list of players with most Champions League goals in a season.

The Poland forward netted 15 goals in the 2019-20 Champions League season as he led Bayern Munich to their sixth European title.

Lionel Messi wraps up the top-five list for most Champions League goals in a season.

The Barcelona icon, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, scored 14 goals in the 2011-12 season, where he became the first player to score five goals in a single UCL game in the Round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen. The 14-goal tally was part of Messi’s historic record of 73 goals in a single football season.

Karim Benzema’s all-important goal in the second leg fixture of the 2021-22 Champions League semi-final against Manchester City saw him reach 15 goals for the season. The Frenchman, who scored two UCL hat-tricks in the 2021-22 season, is the fourth player to reach 80-plus goals in the competition and the first France striker - since Just Fontaine in 1958�?9 - to reach double figures in a European Cup / Champions League campaign.

Most goals in the Champions League in one season

Player	Goals	Season
Cristiano Ronaldo	17	2013-14
	16	2015-16
	15	2017-18
Robert Lewandowski	15	2019-20
Karim Benzema	15	2021-22
Lionel Messi	14	2011-12

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / JAVIER SORIANO

Karim Benzema added an illustrious Ballon d’Or title to his cabinet in 2022, having achieved nearly everything in his career thus far. However, the dream of lifting the World Cup with France eluded him after he was injured a few days before the tournament started in Qatar.

France went on to lose the final against Argentina on penalties and Benzema, who was not replaced in the squad and was rumoured to be fit for the knockout clashes, announced his retirement from international football on December 19. 

“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending,�?Benzema wrote on Instagram.

Karim Benzema made his France debut in 2007 in a friendly fixture against Austria and scored on his debut. 

Unfortunately for the Galactico striker, a lot of his international appearances were restricted to friendlies and qualifiers. He only appeared in one FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he made five appearances and scored thrice.  

His club career, however, had lesser hiccups and more glory. An impressive couple of seasons with Olympique Lyon in 2007-08 and 2008-09, where he collectively scored 54 goals in 99 matches, earned him a big money move to Real Madrid, the same summer when Cristiano Ronaldo joined them on a world record transfer.

After a slow beginning, Benzema picked up pace in the second season, returning with 26 goals across all competitions. In 2011-12, Benzema smashed 21 goals in La Liga (32 overall) and won his first league title with the Real Madrid. 

He went on to win three more league titles, alongside five Champions League titles, four Copa Del Reys, four UEFA Super Cups and four FIFA Club World Cups in the next decade. 

His 44-goal tally in 46 matches in the 2021-22 season saw Real Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League, earning him the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and UEFA Player of the Year awards. 

Karim Benzema stats

International football stats (France)

Competition	Matches	Goals	Assists
FIFA World Cup	5	3	2
FIFA World Cup qualifiers	22	7	3
UEFA Euro	10	4	2
UEFA Euro qualifiers	12	5	4
UEFA Nations League	5	3	0
Friendlies	43	15	9
Overall	97	37	20

 

Club football Stats

Olympique Lyon

Competition	Matches	Goals	Assists
Ligue 1	112	43	23
Champions League	19	12	3
Others	17	11	1
Overall	148	66	27

 

Real Madrid

Competition	Matches	Goals	Assists
La Liga	439	238	119
Champions League	127	78	27
Others	78	38	19
Overall	648	354	165

Photo Credit: Alamy