Christian Benteke facts for kids
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Benteke playing for Belgium in 2017
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christian Benteke Liolo | ||
| Date of birth | 3 December 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Kinshasa, Zaire | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
D.C. United | ||
| 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 | (14) |
| 2010–2011 | → Mechelen (loan) | 18 | (6) |
| 2011–2012 | Genk | 37 | (19) |
| 2012–2015 | Aston Villa | 89 | (42) |
| 2015–2016 | Liverpool | 29 | (9) |
| 2016–2022 | Crystal Palace | 162 | (35) |
| 2022– | D.C. United | 85 | (46) |
| International career | |||
| 2007 | Belgium U17 | 11 | (6) |
| 2007–2008 | Belgium U18 | 7 | (3) |
| 2008–2009 | Belgium U19 | 10 | (10) |
| 2009–2012 | Belgium U21 | 9 | (4) |
| 2010–2022 | Belgium | 45 | (18) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:13, 27 July 2025 (UTC) | |||
Christian Benteke Liolo, born on December 3, 1990, is a professional football player from Belgium. He plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club D.C. United.
Benteke started his career at Standard Liège and helped them win the Belgian league title in 2009. After playing for Genk, he joined Aston Villa for about £7 million. He scored 49 goals in 101 games for Villa. He then played one season for Liverpool, scoring 10 goals, before moving to Crystal Palace in 2016.
Benteke played 45 games for the Belgian national team between 2010 and 2022. He missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup due to an injury. However, he was part of the team that reached the quarter-finals in UEFA Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Christian Benteke was born in Kinshasa in 1990. His family moved from Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to Liège, Belgium, in 1993. They left their home during a difficult time in their country.
Club Career Highlights
Starting in Belgium
Benteke played youth football for JS Pierreuse and Standard Liège. He later joined Genk. In January 2009, he returned to Standard Liège. He scored three goals in 12 games, helping the club win the Belgian championship that season.
In August 2009, he went on loan to Kortrijk for a season. There, he scored 14 goals in the Belgian Pro League. This included five goals in the championship play-offs, helping Kortrijk achieve their best-ever finish.
The next season, he was loaned to Mechelen. He scored seven goals in 25 games there. In August 2011, he went back to Genk from Standard Liège. He scored 16 goals and made nine assists in 20 starts during the 2011–12 season.
After scoring three goals in five league games at the start of the 2012–13 season, Benteke received an offer from Premier League club Aston Villa.
Time at Aston Villa
Joining Aston Villa
On August 31, 2012, Benteke joined Aston Villa on a four-year contract. The transfer fee was around £7 million.
First Season Success (2012–13)
Benteke scored on his first game for Aston Villa on September 15, 2012. He came on as a substitute and helped Villa win 2–0 against Swansea City. His manager, Paul Lambert, praised his performance, calling him "unplayable."
He continued to score important goals, including one against Norwich City and two in a League Cup win against Swindon Town. On November 27, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Reading.
Benteke scored two goals in Villa's 3–1 win against Liverpool at Anfield on December 15. He also assisted another goal. Paul Lambert said Benteke was "unbelievable."
He scored his 10th goal of the season with a long-range shot against West Bromwich Albion. Former England striker Michael Owen called him one of the best new signings of the season.
Benteke scored his first hat-trick for Aston Villa on April 29, 2013. This happened in a big 6–1 win against Sunderland. These goals meant he scored more Premier League goals in a season than any other Aston Villa player before him (18 goals). He also passed 20 goals in all competitions, a first for a Villa player since 2004.
He was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his great first season.
Second Season and Injury (2013–14)
Benteke's 23 goals in the 2012–13 season made many clubs interested in him. He briefly asked to leave Villa but then changed his mind after talking with manager Paul Lambert. He signed a new four-year contract.
He started the 2013–14 Premier League season strongly, scoring two goals in Aston Villa's 3–1 win against Arsenal. He continued his scoring streak with goals against Chelsea and Rotherham United.
However, his good form was stopped by a hip injury. He later returned and scored goals against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion. On March 2, he scored a fantastic overhead kick and a header in a 4–1 win against Norwich City.
Sadly, on April 3, 2014, Benteke tore his achilles tendon during training. This injury meant he would miss at least six months of play, including the rest of the season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Final Season at Villa (2014–15)
On November 2, 2014, Benteke received a red card for pushing a Tottenham player. Villa was winning at the time but ended up losing 2–1.
He scored his second goal of the season against Manchester United in a 1–1 draw. In March, he scored a penalty in a local derby against West Bromwich Albion. On April 7, he scored his second Premier League hat-trick in a 3–3 draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Twelve days later, he scored as Villa came from behind to beat Liverpool and reach the 2015 FA Cup Final. This was Villa's first FA Cup Final in fifteen years. On May 2, he scored twice in a 3–2 win against Everton. This brought his total to eleven goals in nine matches since Tim Sherwood became manager.
Benteke was named the Premier League Player of the Month for April. He played in the FA Cup Final, which Villa lost 4–0 to Arsenal.
Moving to Liverpool
On July 22, 2015, Liverpool signed Benteke for £32.5 million. This made him their second most expensive player at the time. He played his first game for Liverpool on August 2 in a friendly match.
On August 9, Benteke made his official debut in a 1–0 win against Stoke City. Eight days later, he scored his first league goal for Liverpool in a 1–0 home win over Bournemouth. On September 12, he scored an amazing overhead kick in a 3–1 loss to Manchester United.
After an injury, Benteke returned and scored in two games as a substitute in October. On December 26, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory against league leaders Leicester City.
On May 11, 2016, Benteke scored his tenth goal for Liverpool in their final home game of the season. It was a 92nd-minute goal in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea. Benteke often sat on the bench because he didn't quite fit into manager Jürgen Klopp's playing style. He left Liverpool after playing 42 games and scoring 10 goals.
Time at Crystal Palace
On August 20, 2016, Benteke joined Crystal Palace on a four-year contract. The fee was £27 million, which could go up to £32 million. On September 10, 2016, he scored his first goal for Palace in a 2–1 win against Middlesbrough.
On September 24, 2016, Benteke scored a header in the 94th minute against Sunderland. This goal completed Palace's comeback from 2–0 down to win 3–2. On his birthday, December 3, 2016, he scored twice in a 3–0 win over Southampton. This win ended Palace's run of six losses in a row.
Benteke scored two goals in a 2–1 win against his former club Liverpool on April 23, 2017. He finished his first season with Palace as their top scorer, with 15 league goals and 17 goals overall.
The next season was not as successful for him. He scored only three league goals in 30 games. In the 2018–19 season, which was affected by injuries, Benteke scored once in 19 games. Despite this, he signed a contract extension in October 2019, keeping him at Crystal Palace until the end of the 2020–21 season.
On May 16, 2021, Benteke scored a header against his former club Aston Villa. This was his 31st headed goal in the Premier League, putting him among the top 10 all-time players for headed goals. With a goal against Arsenal in Palace's next game, Benteke scored in four Premier League games in a row for the first time in over eight years.
In June 2021, Benteke signed another contract extension until the end of the 2022–23 season.
Playing for D.C. United
In August 2022, Benteke joined MLS club D.C. United. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract as a Designated Player. On September 18, 2022, Benteke scored his first goal for D.C. United in a 1–0 win over Inter Miami. He finished the 2022 season with one goal in seven games.
On April 29, 2023, in a game against Charlotte FC, Benteke scored an amazing bicycle kick goal. This helped D.C. United win 3–1. He received the MLS Goal of the Matchday award for this goal. On September 23, Benteke scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 5–3 loss to the New York Red Bulls. He finished his first full season with D.C. United, scoring 14 goals in 31 games.
In the first game of the 2024 MLS season on February 24, 2024, Benteke scored a hat-trick against rival club New England Revolution. This helped D.C. United win 3–1. He scored his second hat-trick of the season in a 3–2 win at Atlanta United on May 11. This earned him the player of the matchday award for the second time that season. Benteke finished the 2024 season winning the MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals in 30 games. He also set a new club record for most goals scored in a single season across all competitions, with 25 goals.
International Career
Benteke was part of the Belgium U17 team at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. He played three games and scored one goal.
On May 19, 2010, he played his first senior game for the Belgium national team. This was a friendly match against Bulgaria. On August 15, 2012, he scored his first goal for Belgium in a 4–2 win against the Netherlands. He became a regular player for Belgium. On May 29, 2013, he scored twice in a 4–2 friendly win against the United States.
He scored two goals in seven games during the qualifying rounds for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, he could not play in the tournament due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Benteke returned to Belgium's team for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying games. He scored his first international goal in two years in a 5–0 win against Cyprus on March 28, 2015. He was chosen for the main tournament in France. He played his first tournament game on June 18, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
On October 10, 2016, Benteke set a record for the fastest goal in a World Cup match (including qualifying or finals). He scored after just 8.1 seconds against Gibraltar in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. This broke a 23-year-old record. He scored two more goals in that game, completing his first hat-trick for Belgium.
He was not chosen for the final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. On May 17, 2021, Benteke was included in the final 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
Personal Life
Benteke is a Christian. He supports the football club Arsenal.
Media and Celebrations
Benteke's goal celebration, where he beats his chest, is inspired by basketball player LeBron James. This celebration even appears in the video game FIFA 18.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
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| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Genk | 2007–08 | Belgian Pro League | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | ||
| 2008–09 | Belgian Pro League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 1 | ||||
| Standard Liège | 2008–09 | Belgian Pro League | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 3 | ||
| 2010–11 | Belgian Pro League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 2011–12 | Belgian Pro League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Total | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 3 | |||
| Kortrijk (loan) | 2009–10 | Belgian Pro League | 34 | 14 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 38 | 16 | |||
| Mechelen (loan) | 2010–11 | Belgian Pro League | 18 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 20 | 7 | |||
| Genk | 2011–12 | Belgian Pro League | 32 | 16 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 16 | ||
| 2012–13 | Belgian Pro League | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 8 | 4 | |||
| Total | 37 | 19 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 41 | 20 | ||||
| Aston Villa | 2012–13 | Premier League | 34 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 39 | 23 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 26 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 28 | 11 | |||
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 29 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 15 | |||
| Total | 89 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | — | 101 | 49 | ||||
| Liverpool | 2015–16 | Premier League | 29 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | 42 | 10 | |
| Crystal Palace | 2016–17 | Premier League | 36 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 17 | ||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 3 | |||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 2 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 30 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 10 | |||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 25 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 4 | |||
| Total | 162 | 35 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 177 | 37 | ||||
| D.C. United | 2022 | Major League Soccer | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | ||||
| 2023 | Major League Soccer | 31 | 14 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 34 | 14 | |||
| 2024 | Major League Soccer | 30 | 23 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 33 | 25 | ||||
| 2025 | Major League Soccer | 17 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 8 | |||
| Total | 85 | 46 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 2 | 92 | 48 | ||||
| Career total | 482 | 174 | 29 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 546 | 190 | ||
International Appearances and Goals
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2010 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | |
| Total | 45 | 18 | |
- Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Benteke goal
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 August 2012 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 5 |  Netherlands |
1–0 | 4–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 12 October 2012 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 7 |  Serbia |
1–0 | 3–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 16 October 2012 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 8 |  Scotland |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 14 November 2012 | Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania | 9 |  Romania |
1–0 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 5 | 29 May 2013 | FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, United States | 12 |  United States |
2–1 | 4–2 | Friendly |
| 6 | 4–1 | ||||||
| 7 | 28 March 2015 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 20 |  Cyprus |
2–0 | 5–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 8 | 10 October 2016 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal | 30 |  Gibraltar |
1–0 | 6–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 3–0 | ||||||
| 10 | 5–0 | ||||||
| 11 | 28 March 2017 | Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia | 32 |  Russia |
1–2 | 3–3 | Friendly |
| 12 | 1–3 | ||||||
| 13 | 10 October 2019 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 35 |  San Marino |
7–0 | 9–0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 14 | 19 November 2019 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 37 | Cyprus |
1–1 | 6–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 15 | 6–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification | |||||
| 16 | 30 March 2021 | Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium | 39 |  Belarus |
6–0 | 8–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 17 | 13 November 2021 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 43 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 18 | 29 March 2022 | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht, Belgium | 45 | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
- Note that the friendly of Belgium against Romania on 14 November 2012 is not an FIFA A-match due to an excessive number of substitutions according to the Laws of the Game.
Awards and Achievements
Standard Liège
- Belgian First Division: 2008–09
Aston Villa
- FA Cup runner-up: 2014–15
Liverpool
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2015–16
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2015–16
Individual Awards
- Premier League Player of the Month: April 2015
- MLS All-Star: 2023, 2024
- MLS Best XI: 2024
- MLS Golden Boot: 2024
See also
In Spanish: Christian Benteke para niños
