Seventeen-year-old internet personality Lil Tay has created a buzz by claiming that French footballer Karim Benzema, 37, dm’d her on Instagram.
The allegation came from a leaked statement that quickly spread across social media platforms, bringing up discussions about the Al-Ittihad star’s past controversies again.
Lil Tay, who rose to fame as a child for her flashy “flexer” persona and videos flaunting apparent wealth, didn’t provide screenshots or other evidence to back up her claim about the former Real Madrid striker. This has led many to question if her statement is genuine.
Benzema’s name, trending alongside Lil Tay’s, has put his previous legal troubles back into focus. In 2010, the footballer was involved in a case regarding an underage prostitute, though courts ruled he was unaware of her real age.
He also faced a separate scandal involving the alleged blackmail of former teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
The timing of Lil Tay’s claim comes after a period of relative quiet for the young influencer, whose online presence has been marked by controversy and allegations that her family manipulated her career. Critics suggest this could be another attention-seeking move from the teen, who has been accused of making up stories before.
Benzema, who recently moved to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad for a lucrative contract after his successful stint at Real Madrid, has not publicly responded to Lil Tay’s allegations. The footballer’s public image remains divisive—celebrated for his athletic achievements while scrutinized for off-field controversies.
The significant age gap between the two has become a central point of discussion, with some noting different age of consent laws internationally. In France, where Benzema is from, the age of consent is 15, though that doesn’t negate concerns about a 37-year-old athlete allegedly messaging a teenage internet personality.
