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Christian Benteke

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Christian Benteke
Benteke with Belgium in 2013
Personal information
Full name

Christian

Benteke Liolo[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-03) 3 December 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Kinshasa, Zaire[2]
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Aston Villa
Number 20
Youth career
1996–2004 JS Pierreuse
2004–2006 Standard Liège
2006–2007 Genk
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Genk 10 (1)
2009–2011 Standard Liège 18 (3)
2009–2010 → Kortrijk (loan) 34 (15)
2010–2011 → Mechelen (loan) 18 (6)
2011–2012 Genk 37 (19)
2012– Aston Villa 60 (29)
International career‡
2007 Belgium U17 11 (6)
2007–2008 Belgium U18 7 (4)
2008–2009 Belgium U19 10 (10)
2009–2012 Belgium U21 9 (4)
2010– Belgium 17 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 March March 2014 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 March 2014

Christian Benteke Liolo (born 3 December 1990) is a Belgian footballer who plays as a striker for Aston Villa in the Premier League and the Belgium national team.

Early life

Benteke was born in Kinshasa in 1990. He and his family fled during the Mobutu regime and emigrated to Liège, Belgium.[3]

Club career

Standard Liège and Genk

Benteke played youth football for JS Pierreuse and later Standard Liège before moving to Genk. He returned to Standard in January 2009.[4] On 7 August 2009 he joined KV Kortrijk on loan for a season.[5] He spent the following season on loan at Mechelen as part of the transfer of Aloys Nong, who moved from Mechelen to Standard Liège. He returned to Genk in 2011, scoring 19 goals in 37 appearances during one season at the club.[6]

Aston Villa

2012–13 season

On 31 August 2012, Benteke joined Premier League club Aston Villa on a four-year deal for a fee believed to be around £7 million.[7] Benteke stated it was a dream come true in getting a move to the Premier League and thanked the players and manager at K.R.C. Genk for his move.[8]

On 15 September 2012, Benteke scored on his debut for Aston Villa in a 2–0 win against Swansea City, after coming on as a substitute for Austrian forward Andreas Weimann. The goal came when Swansea defender Ashley Williams headed the ball into Benteke's path, which he then lifted over the keeper and tapped in on the volley. Villa manager Paul Lambert praised Benteke's performance on his debut calling him "unplayable".[9] He then scored Villa's only goal in a 1–1 home draw with Norwich City.[10] He added a further two goals to his tally during a 3–2 victory over Swindon Town in the League Cup.[11] He scored the winner in a 1–0 Premier League victory for Villa against Reading at Villa Park on 27 November to continue his impressive start in English football.[12]

Benteke then scored Villa's fourth goal in a 4–1 League Cup win over Norwich City at Carrow Road.[13] Benteke further added to his impressive start in Premier League football by scoring two goals in Villa's 3–1 win against Liverpool at Anfield on 15 December. In addition to the two goals, he also assisted Villa's second goal with a back-heel to Andreas Weimann. Paul Lambert said afterwards that 'Benteke has been unbelievable', after already stating midweek (post–Norwich) that 'you run out of things to say about the guy, how well he's performing and how young he is'.[14] Around Christmas time, Tottenham Hotspur manager André Villas-Boas was reportedly interested in signing Benteke, referring to him as the season's "surprise package". [citation needed]

After not scoring for three games, Benteke scored Villa's first penalty kick in almost a year in a 2–2 draw away to Swansea City in Villa's first game of 2013.[15] He recorded his 10th goal of the season with a 28-yard strike against West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in a 2–2 draw at The Hawthorns. The goal was nominated for January's goal of the month competition on Match of the Day.[16] He then netted Villa's first goal in their 2–1 League Cup semi-final victory over Bradford City. However, the victory was not enough as Bradford won 4–3 on aggregate to progress to the final.[17] Former England striker Michael Owen called him one of the signings of the season and posted a tweet the day after the semi-final saying: 'I'm seriously impressed with Benteke. What a player.'[18] Benteke continued his rich scoring form with a goal against Newcastle United and a brace against Everton, in a game that Villa had led 3–1 at one point but eventually finished 3–3.[19][20] He racked up his 15th goal in all competitions, as well as tallying six goals in five games, when he scored a penalty in a 2–1 victory against West Ham United on 10 February 2013. This was Villa's first league victory in eight games, since Benteke inspired the win against Liverpool back in December.[21]

Benteke playing for Aston Villa in 2013.

During a league game against Manchester City on 4 March 2013, two Villa fans dressed as astronauts were caught on camera holding a sign proclaiming that "Benteke is out of this world".[22] Benteke scored a deflected goal in a 2–1 victory at Reading, scoring the clubs 1000th goal in the Premier League in the process. The following week he went on to score a goal that sealed a 3–2 win over Queens Park Rangers.[23][24] He then scored the third goal to seal a 3–1 win against relegation rivals Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.[25] Benteke was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year after his excellent debut season, eventually finishing as runner-up to eventual double award winner Gareth Bale.[26] On 29 April, Benteke scored his first hat-trick for Aston Villa in a 6–1 thrashing of Sunderland. These goals also saw him exceed Dwight Yorke's record for most Premier League goals in a season (18) by an Aston Villa player and pass the 20 goal mark in all competitions, becoming the first player to do so for Villa since Juan Pablo Ángel in the 2003–04 season.[27]

On 11 May, Benteke scored Villa's only goal in a 1–2 loss to Chelsea but in the second half he was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a high boot on John Terry, meaning he would miss the last game of the season.[28]

2013–14 season

Benteke's 23 goals in 2012–13 led to speculation about his future, and in early July he submitted a transfer request in early July. Villa said he could leave only if their valuation were met, but a fortnight later he withdrew his transfer request, after talks with manager Paul Lambert, and signed a new four-year contract with the club.[29][30] On his second pre-season appearance, he scored a hat-trick against Crewe Alexandra in a 5–1 victory.[31] He finished pre-season with seven goals in five appearances, including two goals against Málaga at Villa Park.[32][33]

On 17 August 2013, Benteke scored twice, once from a penalty and one headed goal via a rebound from a missed penalty, in Aston Villa's 3–1 away-win against Arsenal on the opening day of the 2013–14 Premier League season.[34] Four days later, Benteke scored against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a 2–1 defeat.[35] He scored his fourth goal in as many games, as Villa comfortably beat League One side Rotherham United 3–0 in the League Cup second round.[36] He continued scoring, as he racked up his fifth goal in all competitions, against Newcastle United in a 1–2 defeat at Villa Park.[37] However his brilliant early season form was abruptly ended, as he was injured in the next match against Norwich City. It was later confirmed that he would be out for up to six weeks with a hip flexor injury.[38] However he made his comeback earlier than expected, after coming on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur a month later in a 2–0 defeat.[39]

After loss of form and niggling injuries prevented Benteke scoring for 12 games (his last goal being against Newcastle on 14 September), he eventually ended his drought against Arsenal in a 1–2 defeat on 13 January 2014.[40][41] He followed this up with goals in back-to-back games against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, in a 2–2 draw and 4–3 victory respectively.[42][43] Having not scored throughout February, the Belgian then scored a superb overhead volley as well as a header, in an eventual 4–1 victory versus Norwich City on 1 March.[44]

On 3 April 2014, Benteke suffered a rupture of his achilles tendon while training and was ruled out for at least six months, missing the remainder of the season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[45]

International career

Benteke playing for Belgium in 2013

Benteke was member for the Belgium U17 team at 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea where he played three games and scored once.[46]

On 19 May 2010, he made his senior début for the Belgian national team in a friendly match against Bulgaria in Brussels after his former coach at Kortrijk, Georges Leekens, became national coach. On 15 August 2012, he scored his first goal in a 4–2 win against the Netherlands. Since then, he has become a regular starter for Belgium under Marc Wilmots.

He scored two goals in seven appearances during qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,[47] but was ruled out of the tournament finals with a ruptured Achilles tendon.[48]

International goals

Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 15 August 2012 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels  Netherlands 1–0 4–2 Friendly
2. 12 October 2012 Stadium Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade  Serbia 1–0 3–0 2014 World Cup qualifier
3. 16 October 2012 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels  Scotland 1–0 2–0 2014 World Cup qualifier
4. 14 November 2012 National Arena Stadium, Bucharest  Romania 1–0 1–2 Friendly
5. 29 May 2013 FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland  United States 1–2 2–4 Friendly
6. 29 May 2013 FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland  United States 1–4 2–4 Friendly

Personal life

Benteke is a Christian. Benteke says he points up after scoring goals to thank God. Benteke also prays frequently.[49]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 March 2014.
Season Club Country Competition League Cup Europe Other1 Total
Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals
2007–08 K.R.C. Genk Belgium Belgian Pro League 7 1 0 0 0 0 — 7 1
2008–09 3 0 0 0 — — 3 0
Standard Liège 9 3 0 0 2 0 — 11 3
2009–10 K.V. Kortrijk (loan) 34 14 4 2 — — 38 16
2010–11 Standard Liège 5 0 0 0 — — 5 0
KV Mechelen (loan) 18 6 2 1 — — 20 7
2011–12 Standard Liège 4 1 0 0 4 0 1 0 9 1
Genk 32 16 1 0 0 0 — 33 16
2012–13 5 3 0 0 3 1 — 8 4
Belgium Total 117 44 7 3 9 1 1 0 134 48
Season Club Country Competition League Cup2 Europe Other Total
Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals Apps. Goals
2012–13 Aston Villa England Premier League 34 19 5 4 — — 39 23
2013–14 26 10 2 1 — — 28 11
Aston Villa Total 60 29 7 5 0 0 0 0 67 34
Career Total 176 73 14 8 9 1 1 0 198 82

1Includes one Belgian Super Cup match.
2Includes FA Cup and League Cup matches.

Honours

Standard Liège

References

  1. ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/09/2012 and 30/09/2012" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  2. ^ Wallace, Sam (9 November 2012). "Christian Benteke: Street football took brilliant Belgians to top". The Independent. London.
  3. ^ Sam Wallace (9 November 2012). "Christian Benteke: Street football took brilliant Belgians to top". London: The Independent.
  4. ^ "Christian Benteke volgt Bolat". Article.wn.com.
  5. ^ Footgoal.Net. "Officiel : Benteke à Courtrai, Van Hout au Standard". Footgoal.net.
  6. ^ "Christian Benteke | Age 21". WhoScored.com.
  7. ^ Stuart James (1 September 2012). "Aston Villa sign £7m Christian Benteke but are forced to defend transfers". The Guardian. London.
  8. ^ "Christian Benteke signs for Aston Villa". Daily Mail. London. 31 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Aston Villa 2–0 Swansea". BBC Sport. 15 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Aston Villa 1–1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 27 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Swindon 2–3 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 30 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Aston Villa 1–0 Reading". BBC Sport. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Norwich 1–4 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  14. ^ "Liverpool 1–3 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 15 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Swansea 2–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  16. ^ "West Brom 2–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Aston Villa 2–1 Bradford (3–4)". BBC Sport. 22 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Tweet". twitter. 23 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Aston Villa 1–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  20. ^ "Everton 3–3 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 2 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Aston Villa 2–1 West Ham". BBC Sport. 10 February 2013.
  22. ^ "Pic of the day: Astronaut fans of Christian Benteke at Villa Park". inside World Soccer. 5 March 2013.
  23. ^ "Reading 1–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  24. ^ "Aston Villa 3–2 QPR". BBC Sport. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  25. ^ "Stoke 1–3 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  26. ^ "Carrick, Bale, Suarez, Van Persie, Hazard & Mata on PFA shortlist". BBC Sport. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  27. ^ "Aston Villa 6–1 Sunderland". 29 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  28. ^ "Aston Villa 1–2 Chelsea". 11 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  29. ^ "Christian Benteke: Aston Villa striker submits transfer request". BBC Sport. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  30. ^ "Christian Benteke: Aston Villa striker signs new deal". BBC Sport. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  31. ^ "Crewe 1–5 Villa report: Benteke the hat-trick hero". avfc.co.uk. Aston Villa Football Club. 26 July 2013.
  32. ^ "Villa 3–2 Malaga report: Benteke double in final friendly win". Aston Villa Football Club. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  33. ^ "Christian Benteke on song to repeat goals feat". Daily Star. 14 August 2013.
  34. ^ "Arsenal 1–3 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 21 August 2013.
  35. ^ "Chelsea 2–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 21 August 2013.
  36. ^ "Aston Villa 3–0 Rotherham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  37. ^ "Aston Villa 1–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  38. ^ "Premier League: Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke faces six weeks out with hip injury". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  39. ^ "Aston Villa 0–2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Premier League: Aston Villa's Christian Benteke backed to rediscover top form". Sky Sports. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  41. ^ "Aston Villa 1–2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  42. ^ "Liverpool 2–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  43. ^ "Aston Villa 4–3 West Bromwich Albion". BBC Sport. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  44. ^ "Aston Villa 4–1 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  45. ^ "Christian Benteke ruled out of World Cup after rupturing achilles". ESPN Soccernet. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  46. ^ Christian Benteke – FIFA competition record (archived)
  47. ^ "Christian Benteke". UEFA. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  48. ^ "Belgium's Benteke ruled out of World Cup". UEFA. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Christian Benteke: I thank God for my goalscoring gift".
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