Elias Benkara
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 29 April 2007 | ||
| Place of birth | Frankfurt, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Borussia Dortmund | ||
| Number | 47 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Mainz 05 | ||
| 2021–2025 | Borussia Dortmund | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Borussia Dortmund | 0 | (0) |
| 2025– | Borussia Dortmund II | 13 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2022 | Germany U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2023 | Germany U17 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 May 2026 | |||
Elias Benkara (Arabic: إلياس بن قارة; born 29 April 2007) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. Born in Germany, he chose to represent Algeria at senior level internationally.
Early life
Benkara was born on 29 April 2007. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, he was born to an Algerian father and a German mother.[1]
Club career
As a youth player, Benkara joined the youth academy of German side Mainz. Following his stint there, he joined the youth academy of German Bundesliga side BVB ahead of the 2021–22 season at the age of fourteen[2] and was promoted to the club's senior team during the winter of 2024.[3]
International career
Benkara is a Germany youth international. On 18 November 2023, he debuted with Germany U17 during a 1–1 away friendly draw against Turkey U17.
He was nominated for the Algeria national team by head coach Vladimir Petković on late 2025.[4][5] Benkara was called-up for the 3–1 win friendly match against Zimbabwe on 13 November 2025, as an unused substitute however.[6]
Style of play
Benkara plays as a defender. German news website Bundesliga wrote in 2025 that he "is strong in the air, a commanding presence at the heart of the defence and a composed distributor of possession. His height and athleticism also make him a real threat in the opposition penalty area".[1]
References
- 1 2 "Elias Benkara: Who is Borussia Dortmund's defensive jewel?". Bundesliga. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ "Qui est Benkara Elias, nouveau joueur de l'équipe d'Algérie?" [Who is Benkara Elias, the new player for the Algerian national team?] (in French). Fennec Football. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Elias Benkara at WorldFootball.net
- ↑ "Info DZfoot : Elias Benkara sur la liste élargie de Petkovic". dzfoot.com (in French). 31 October 2025.
- ↑ "Elias Benkara chooses Algeria!". foot-africa.com. 1 November 2025.
- ↑ ""Even though I'm blond, I have Algerian blood": Elias Benkara sets Algeria abuzz - "I have Algerian blood": Elias Benkara ignites the fans". foot-africa.com. 13 November 2025.
External links
- Elias Benkara at WorldFootball.net
- Elias Benkara at Kicker (in German)