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Yassine Benzia
Footballer (born 1994) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Yassine Benzia (Arabic: ياسين بنزية; born 8 September 1994) is a professional footballer who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha. He currently represents the Algeria national team. He mainly plays as an attacking or a central midfielder but can also play as a winger or striker.
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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]
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Club career
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Lyon
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
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)
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)
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
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)
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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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]
On 11 June 2025, Qarabağ announced that Benzia had left the club at the end of his contract.[20]
Al-Fayha
On 6 August 2025, Benzia joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha on a one-year deal.[21]
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International career
France
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.[22]
Algeria
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.[23] He scored his first senior international goal on 2 June 2016 against Seychelles.[24] 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.
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Style of play
At the age of 17, Benzia was dubbed the new Karim Benzema.[25][26]
Personal life
Benzia's siblings, Farid and Mustapha, are also footballers.[27]
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 he managed to continue his professional football career.[28]
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Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 31 May 2025[29][30][citation needed]
- Includes Coupe de France, Turkish Cup, Greek Football Cup, Azerbaijan Cup
- Includes Coupe de la Ligue
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in Trophée des champions
- Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
International
- As of match played 26 March 2024[30]
- As of match played 26 March 2024
- Algeria score listed first, score column indicates score after each Benzia goal[30]
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Honours
Lyon
Qarabağ
France U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2013[31]
Individual
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship: Team of the Tournament 2013
References
External links
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