Karim Bellarabi (born 8 April 1990) is a German former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Bellarabi was born in West Berlin, to a Moroccan father and a German mother. He grew up in Bremen, where he played youth football for local clubs FC Huchting, Werder Bremen, and FC Oberneuland.
In 2008, Bellarabi joined the under-19 side of Eintracht Braunschweig. He made his senior debut for them during the 2008âÂÂ09 season, followed by two more appearances during the 2009âÂÂ10 league campaign. He finally became a regular starter during the 2010âÂÂ11 3. Liga season and attracted notice due to his performance.
After the season, he left Braunschweig for Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Due to injury, Bellarabi missed most of the 2012âÂÂ13 Bundesliga season. In 2013, he returned from Leverkusen to Eintracht Braunschweig, by now playing in the Bundesliga as well, on a one-year loan deal.
Bellarabi returned to Leverkusen at the start of the 2014âÂÂ15 season. On 23 August 2014, he scored the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, just in 9 seconds, on the opening match of the 2014âÂÂ15 season, away to Borussia Dortmund, he led the way to a 0âÂÂ2 win.
On 17 February 2017 Bellarabi scored the 50,000th goal in Bundesliga history.
In July 2018 he collapsed in a pre-season friendly.
On 13 August 2020, he extended his stay at the BayArena until 2023 amid interest from other clubs.
Bellarabi has played youth international football for the German under-20 and under-21 teams. He was called up by the senior team in October 2014.
He made his senior international debut for Germany on 11 October 2014 in a 2âÂÂ0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying defeat away to Poland, playing the full 90 minutes. On 13 June 2015, Bellarabi scored his first international goal in a 7âÂÂ0 win against Gibraltar.