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Yassine Benzia

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Yassine Benzia
Benzia with France U19 in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Qarabağ
Number 7
Youth career
2000–2005 Saint-Aubin
2005–2006 Oissel
2006–2009 Caudebecais
2009–2010 Quevilly
2010–2012 Lyon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Lyon 38 (4)
2011–2015 → Lyon II 38 (19)
2015–2020 Lille 81 (9)
2015–2016 → Lille II 3 (1)
2018–2019 → Fenerbahçe (loan) 13 (0)
2019–2020 → Olympiacos (loan) 5 (0)
2020–2022 Dijon 27 (6)
2022 → Hatayspor (loan) 12 (2)
2023– Qarabağ 43 (15)
International career‡
2010 France U16 3 (0)
2011 France U17 6 (4)
2011–2012 France U18 9 (9)
2012–2013 France U19 16 (7)
2013–2015 France U21 9 (6)
2016– Algeria 6 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 07 April 2024

Yassine Benzia (Arabic: ياسين بنزية; born 8 September 1994) is a professional footballer who plays for Azerbaijan Premier League club Qarabağ and the Algeria national team. He mainly plays as an attacking or a central midfielder but can also play as a winger or striker.

He began his professional career at Olympique Lyonnais, where he played 53 total games and scored 6 goals, winning the 2012 Trophée des Champions. In August 2015, he was signed by Lille.

Benzia was a France youth international, having played for the representative teams of the French Football Federation at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-21 level. He played with the under-17 team at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[1] In March 2016, FIFA approved his request to change his international allegiance to Algerian Football Federation.[2]

Club career

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Lyon

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Following the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup Benzia signed his first professional contract with Lyon, agreeing to a three-year deal on 27 October 2011.[3] He was subsequently promoted to the senior team by manager Rémi Garde and assigned the number 25 shirt. Benzia made his professional debut on 20 May 2012 in the last game of the league season at home to Nice, appearing as a substitute for Jimmy Briand for the final minutes of the 4–3 loss.[4]

Benzia came on as a 66th-minute substitute for Bafétimbi Gomis in the 2012 Trophée des Champions against Montpellier at New Jersey's Red Bull Arena on 28 July, and scored in Lyon's penalty shootout victory after a 2–2 draw.[5] On 22 November, he scored his first professional goal to open a 1–1 draw at Sparta Prague in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[6] He scored again in the competition's next game, a 2–0 win at the Stade de Gerland against Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona, but did not find the net again for the rest of the season.[7]

On 16 August 2013, Benzia scored his first Ligue 1 goal, opening a 3–1 win at Sochaux on the first day of the season and also assisting Alexandre Lacazette and Yoann Gourcuff for the other two goals.[8] He added his only other goal of the season on 8 December in a win by the same score at Bastia.[9]

Lille

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On 31 August 2015, Benzia signed a four-year deal at fellow Ligue 1 club Lille for a fee of around €1 million.[10]

On 28 January 2017, after over a year without a goal, Benzia scored both of Lille's goals in a 2–1 win on his return to Lyon.[11]

Fenerbahçe (loan)

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On 31 August 2018, the last day of the 2018 summer transfer window, Benzia joined Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe on loan for the season. Fenerbahçe also secured an option to sign him permanently.[12]

Olympiakos (loan)

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On 31 August 2019, the last day of the 2019 summer transfer window, Benzia joined Superleague Greece side Olympiakos on loan for the season.[13]

Dijon

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On 30 January 2020, Benzia returned to France to join Dijon by signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.[14] In May 2020, he sustained a serious injury to his left hand due to a buggy accident, which made him unavailable until 2021.[15] On 18 April 2021, he scored his first goal from a penalty in a 2–0 win over Nice.[16]

Hatayspor (loan)

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On 8 February 2022, the last day of the Turkish winter transfer window, Benzia was loaned out to Hatayspor.[17]

Qarabağ

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Benzia (#7) lining up with Qarabağ against Ajax in 2024.

On 26 January 2023, Benzia signed for Qarabağ on a contract until 30 June 2025.[18] On 11 July 2023, he scored his first goal in the stoppage time of a 2–1 away victory against Lincoln Red Imps within the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[19]

International career

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France

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Benzia represented France at youth level. He played for France U17 during the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he scored five goals in the tournament. He also scored two goals for France U19, as they reached the final of the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[20]

Algeria

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In January 2016, Algerian Football Federation president Mohamed Raouraoua announced that Benzia had opted to switch his international allegiance to Algeria. In March 2016, FIFA approved his request to change his international allegiance.[2] On 26 March 2016, he played his first game for Algeria, against Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[21] He scored his first senior international goal on 2 June 2016 against Seychelles.[22]. He later on the 18th of November in 2024 was the runner up in the FIFA Puskás Award, for his goal against South Africa on 26 March 2024, scoring the equalizer in the 70th minute to make it 3-3.

Style of play

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At the age of 17, Benzia was dubbed the new Karim Benzema.[23][24]

Personal life

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Benzia's siblings, Farid and Mustapha, are also footballers.[25]

On August 9, 2012, he participated in a photo shoot with Adidas Scouting Camp for the 2012 promotion.

In May 2020, Yassine Benzia suffered a serious hand injury following a buggy accident in the woods. The injury was severe enough to require surgery and raised concerns about the long-term functionality of his hand. Despite the gravity of the accident, Benzia was able to resume training with Dijon FCO six months later, although his injured hand was still heavily bandaged. This injury could have ended his career, but fortunately, he managed to continue his professional football career.[26]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 March 2024[27][28][29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lyon 2011–12 Ligue 1 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2012–13 Ligue 1 16 0 0 0 0 0 3[c] 2 1[d] 0 21 2
2013–14 Ligue 1 11 2 2 0 1 0 5[e] 0 — 19 2
2014–15 Ligue 1 10 2 0 0 1 0 2[c] 0 — 13 2
2015–16 Ligue 1 — — — — 1[d] 0 1 0
Total 38 4 2 0 2 0 10 2 2 0 53 6
Lille 2015–16 Ligue 1 25 5 1 0 3 1 — — 29 6
2016–17 Ligue 1 25 3 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 — 29 3
2017–18 Ligue 1 31 1 1 0 1 1 — — 33 2
Total 81 9 3 0 5 2 2 0 — 91 11
Fenerbahçe 2018–19 Süper Lig 13 0 4 0 — — — 17 0
Olympiakos 2019–20 Super League Greece 5 0 1 0 — 3[f] 0 — 9 0
Dijon 2019–20 Ligue 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 — — 4 0
2020–21 Ligue 1 7 2 0 0 — — — 7 2
2021–22 Ligue 2 17 4 1 0 — — — 18 4
Total 27 6 2 0 0 0 — — 29 6
Hatayspor 2021–22 Süper Lig 12 2 — — — — 12 2
Qarabağ 2022–23 Azerbaijan Premier League 3 0 0 0 — 2[g] 0 — 5 0
2023–24 Azerbaijan Premier League 21 9 2 0 — 18[h] 4 — 41 13
Total 24 9 2 0 — 20 4 — 46 13
Career total 200 26 14 0 7 2 35 6 2 0 268 34
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Turkish Cup, Greek Football Cup, Azerbaijan Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b Appearance in Trophée des champions
  5. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  8. ^ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, fourteen appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 26 March 2024[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Algeria 2016 2 1
2018 2 0
2024 2 3
Total 6 4
As of match played 26 March 2024
Algeria score listed first, score column indicates score after each Benzia goal[29]
List of international goals scored by Yassine Benzia
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 June 2016 Stade Linité, Victoria, Seychelles 2  Seychelles 1–0 2–0 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2 22 March 2024 Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, Algeria 5  Bolivia 2–2 3–2 2024 FIFA Series
3 26 March 2024 Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, Algeria 6  South Africa 1–0 3–3 2024 FIFA Series
4 3–3

Honours

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Lyon

Qarabağ

France U19

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Benzia gamble paying off for France". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (in French). 20 June 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b HMF (7 March 2016). "Benzia officiellement autorisé à jouer avec l'Algérie" (in French). DZFoot. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Benzia passe pro". L'Equipe (in French). 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Lyon v. Nice Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b "FEUILLE DE MATCH MONTPELLIER HÉRAULT SC - OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS". LFP. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  6. ^ Harris, Nick (26 November 2012). "Yassine Benzia - The next French superstar on Arsenal and Chelsea's radar". HITC. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  7. ^ "The youngsters step up". Olympique Lyonnais. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Ligue 1: Lyon a encore fait feu". La Depeche (in French). 16 August 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Et Lyon se relança à Bastia". La Depeche (in French). 9 December 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Yassine Benzia (OL) signe pour quatre ans à Lille (officiel)". L'Equipe (in French). 31 August 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Yassine Benzia at the double for Lille against former club Lyon". ESPN FC. PA Sport. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Yassine Benzia (Lille) prêté à Fenerbahçe (officiel)". 'Équipe (in French). 31 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Ολυμπιακός: Ανακοίνωσε και Γιασίν Μπενζιά". www.sport24.gr (in Greek). 31 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Transferts : Yassine Benzia signe à Dijon" (in French). L'Équipe. 30 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Ligue 1 : Victime d'un accident de buggy, Benzia a subi une greffe de peau à la main gauche" (in French). Eurosport. 25 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Dijon FCO 2–0 Nice". ESPN. 18 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Transferts : Yassine Benzia (Dijon) prêté à Hatayspor (officiel)" (in French). L'Équipe. 8 February 2022.
  18. ^ "YASSİN BENZİA "QARABAĞ"DA". qarabagh.com (in Azerbaijani). Qarabağ FK. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Lincoln Red Imps 1–2 Qarabağ". UEFA. 11 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Yassine Benzia" (in French). French Football Federation.
  21. ^ Burnton, Simon (25 March 2016). "Holland 2-3 France, Republic of Ireland 1-0 Switzerland and more: clockwatch – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  22. ^ "Algeria defeat Seychelles to qualify for 2017 African Nations Cup". ESPN. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Benzia le nouveau Benzema" [Benzia the new Benzema]. 10 Sport (in French). 1 February 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. ^ "OL: Palerme vise Benzia, le "nouveau Benzema"" [OL: Palermo going after Benzia, the "new Benzema"]. Canal+ (in French). 1 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. ^ "Coupe de France : d'une pizzeria à moteur du FC Rouen, le drôle de parcours de Mustapha Benzia". actu.fr (in French). 7 February 2024.
  26. ^ Colinterview (27 November 2024). Yassine Benzia me dévoile l’enfer HORRIBLE dont il a su sortir. Retrieved 7 December 2024 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ "Yassine Benzia". footballdatabase. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  28. ^ "Yassine Benzia". soccerway. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  29. ^ a b c "Yassine Benzia". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  30. ^ "France U19 vs. Serbia U19 - 1 August 2013 - Soccerway".
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