TC Honorary Bhoys of the Month [Dec 07] - TalkCeltic

**Iontach** · 13-12-2007, 04:06 AM

December 07

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Óscar Cardozo
Benfica

Óscar Cardozo is a 24 year old striker who is currently playing for Benfica in the Portugese Liga. The 6 foot 4 inch striker has been capped by the Paraguay's national team 3 times and has registered 2 goals in those 3 appearances.

Óscar began his senior footballing career in 2005, at Club Atlético 3 de Febrero of the Paraguayan league but made only 2 appearances for the side. He was then transfered to Club Nacional where he hit the back netting 27 times. In 2006 he was transfered to the Argentinian side Newell's Old Boys. He scored 22 times in 33 appearances for the side.

This past summer transfer season saw Óscar Cardozo move to Benfica for an estimated 9 million Euros. The second highest transfer fee Benfica has ever paid out. He has since scored 3 champions league goals for Benfica. Óscar Cardozo is second in the Champions League in shots with 16, 1 behind Juninho of Lyon.

On December 4th of 2007, Óscar Cardozo scored 2 goals against the Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on the way to Benfica's 2-1 victory. In doing so- Óscar Cardozo had an effect on the entire Champions League Group D. His goals allowed Celtic to advance to the prestigious last 16 of the Champions league for the 2nd year in a row. It also knocked Shakhtar out of European Competition and advanced his own side, Benfica, to the UEFA Cup.

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Karim Benzema
Lyon

Karim Benzema in a 19 year old striker currently playing for Olympique Lyonnais in France. Benzema has spent his entire career in the Lyon system including playing for their Youth Academy. The 6 foot forward is very versatile and can play either wing or striker.

Several high profile clubs have made interest in him including: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus. He however seems quite content at Lyon. He is contracted for the French Champions until 2012. He has registered 16 goals for Lyon during their 07/08 campaign.

Benzema being of Algerian and Kabyle descent was offered the chance to play for Algeria. He refused and has since been capped by France 8 times. In those 8 matches he has registered 3 goals.

On December 12th of 2007, Benzema scored twice in Lyon's Champions League match against Rangers and in doing so he led his side into the Last 16 Knockout Round of the Champions League and pushed the Rangers into 3rd place in the group and the UEFA Cup. He was named player of the match by UEFA.

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We would also like to thank the crew at the San Siro or Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for playing You'll Never Walk Alone over their speaker system after Celtic qualified for the last 16.