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Benzema, 19, is the most prolific striker in all European leagues this season with 11 goals so far. |
PARIS — Suburbanites and third generation immigrants might face discrimination getting their fair share of jobs, but in football courts their skills speak louder.
They may not yet be 21, but Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri have already become big names in the soccer world and are seen as the rightful heir to legendary Zinedine Zidane.
Born in France to Arab parents, the trio have become the young guns of the league's leading Olympique Lyonnais and Marseille de Olympique.
Benzema and Ben Arfa led Olympique Lyonnais to a 2-0 victory over Valenciennes on Sunday, November 4, maintaining a four-point lead against Nancy at the helm of the Ligue 1.
Benzema, 19, is the top goal-scorer in all European leagues this season with 11 goals so far.
He stole the limelight in 2005, when he made his first debut with the Lyonnais and scored a spectacular goal that gave him a foothold in the French national team, though he was just 17.
Hailing from Algerian family, Benzema helped the Lyonnais maintain Ligue 1 title for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
His impressive performance at the UEFA Cup 2007 drew interests from European heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC and Inter Milan.
Benzema, who has dual citizenships, was also approached by Algerian national team but preferred to play for France.
Left-winger Ben Arfa, 20, is another Lyonnais superstar, joining the senior team as young as 15.
Born to Tunisian parents, was offered a place in the Tunisian World Cup 2006 squad, but he preferred to play for the French national team.
Some reports suggested that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning a £40 million raid on Benzema and Ben Arfa, dubbed the golden duo by the French sport press.
New Zidane
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| Nasri is often referred to as the new Zidane. |
Olympique de Marseille's gifted playmaker Samir Nasri is also another shining suburbanite star in Ligue 1.
The 20-year-old, one of the best midfielders in France is often referred to as the new Zidane, France's legend playmaker who retired after the 2006 season.
Nasri began playing in Ligue 1 with Marseille in the 2004/2005 season and immediately catapulted to stardom.
He joined the national squad last year when he was just 19.
Nasri scored his first international goal in his third appearance with the senior team in a EUEFA 2008 qualifier against Georgia in June.
French of Arab and African backgrounds have been the backbone of the French national squad for years, including Zidane and Lilian Thuram.
According to unofficial estimates, about 10 percent of France's 61 million residents are of Arab or African descent.
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