From barber to Real Madrid stars to striker in the third division: Amir Etienne reveals his connection to Benzema

French forward Amir Etienne, who plays for Versailles, is having an extraordinary journey after transitioning from a career in barbering to playing football at the French third division level. He now finds himself nominated for Player of the Month for September, with support from stars Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.

Étienne, aged 24, revealed details about his relationship with former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, explaining that a back injury kept him out of action for two years, prompting him to look for another job. He learned to be a barber during the COVID-19 pandemic, before this profession led him to meet several stars from Real Madrid.

The French forward explained that Eduardo Camavinga's older brother, a professional barber, welcomed him upon his arrival in Madrid and took him to work in various barbershops, where he started by cutting Vinicius Junior's hair before taking on the haircuts of several Real Madrid players, including Benzema, with whom he developed a friendship.

Étienne said: "I had the opportunity to cut Karim Benzema's hair, and I became friends with him," before explaining that their relationship did not start through haircuts, but first developed as a friendship, and then he had the chance to cut the French star's hair.

On the football front, Étienne joined Versailles last January after scoring 7 goals in 13 matches with Olympique Lyon, but he struggled to establish himself during the second half of the season, managing only one goal in 14 appearances. However, his level has changed significantly during the current season, as he has excelled in attack and scored a brace against both Orléans and Villefranche, earning a nomination for the Best Player award in the French third division for September, and receiving support from Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior on social media.