Medhi Benatia

Medhi Benatia

Benatia in action for Bayern Munich in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Medhi Amine El Mouttaqi Benatia
Date of birth	(1987-04-17) 17 April 1987 (age 29)
Place of birth	Courcouronnes, France
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Club information
Current team	Juventus (on loan from Bayern Munich)
Number	4
Youth career
2000–2002	Clairefontaine
2002–2003	Guingamp
2003–2005	Marseille
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2008	Marseille	0	(0)
2006–2007	→ Tours (loan)	29	(0)
2007–2008	→ Lorient (loan)	0	(0)
2008–2010	Clermont	56	(2)
2010–2013	Udinese	80	(6)
2013–2014	Roma	33	(5)
2014–	Bayern Munich	29	(2)
2016–	→ Juventus (loan)	10	(1)
National team‡
2005	France U18	1	(0)
2006–2007	Morocco U20	4	(0)
2008–	Morocco	42	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 March 2017. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 3 June 2016

Medhi Amine El Mouttaqi Benatia (Arabic: المهدي أمين بن عطية المتقي‎‎; born 17 April 1987) is a footballer who plays for Italian club Juventus on loan from German club Bayern Munich, and for the Morocco national team, as a centre back.

He began his career at Marseille, spending his time loaned out to Tours and Lorient before joining Clermont in 2008. Two years later he joined Udinese, spending three seasons there before transferring to Roma. After helping them finish as Serie A runners-up in his only campaign there, he was signed by Bayern for €26 million, winning the Bundesliga in his first two seasons.

Born and raised in France, Benatia represents his father's Morocco at international level. He made his international debut for them in 2008 and represented the nation at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Benatia was born in Courcouronnes, France, to a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother.

Benatia joined Marseille in 2003, and signed his first professional contract with them two years later. After loan spells at Tours and Lorient, he left for Ligue 2 club Clermont on 1 July 2008 on a free transfer.

On 1 July 2010, Benatia signed for Serie A club Udinese Calcio, again on a free transfer. He made 80 league appearances for Udinese, scoring six goals.