Karim Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009, but four years earlier he had already visited the Santiago Bernabeu. He did it when he was only 17 years old as Lyon's great promise during a Champions League clash.
Destiny wanted a 17-year-old boy who visited the Santiago Bernabeu pitch for the first time in November 2005 to become one of the key pieces of the team's most successful stage. When young Karim Benzema first arrived at the Bernabeu, no one could have imagined what would happen next.
But his first time in what is now his home was quite discreet for him. Karim did not play a single minute in the 1-1 draw between Lyon and Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League group stage (the French won 3-0 in the first leg).
The striker was on the bench for the entire game and enjoyed the great atmosphere that reigned in the white team. 'Marca' remembers that, in an interview granted years later, Benzema decided that day that he had to play for Real Madrid sometime.
His prophecy was fulfilled, and perhaps a good morale boost to do so came when, after the match, the president of Lyon got the signed Ronaldo Nazario jersey and handed it to Karim.