Karim Ghezal started playing rugby at the age of 15 after trying football and basketball. He trained at L'Isle-Jourdain before joining the Toulouse training centre at eighteen.
He would go on to represent the likes of Béziers, Grenoble, Castres, Montauban, Racing and Lyon. In November 2014, he was selected in the team of French Barbarians to face Namibia at Stade Mayol in Toulon. In June 2015, he participated in the Baabaas tour in Argentina to face the Pumas.
He made over 300 professional appearances by February 2016 before he retired. In 2016, he joined the technical staff of his last club, Lyon. In 2017, he extended his contract for three years and was set to stay with the club until 2021.
In 2018, forwards coach Sébastien Bruno left the club to occupy his position with the XV of France , Karim Ghezal was then promoted to forwards coach, supported by David Attoub for the scrum.
In 2019, he left Lyon to join the coaching staff of the French national team, led by the new coach Fabien Galthié from 2020.
Career
 |
France Coach |
2020 - present |
 |
Beziers No 4 Lock |
2002 - 2003 |
 |
Grenoble No 4 Lock |
2003 - 2005 |
 |
Castres Olympique No 4 Lock |
2005 - 2007 |
 |
Montauban No 4 Lock |
2007 - 2010 |
 |
Racing 92 No 4 Lock |
2010 - 2014 |
 |
Lyon Coach |
2014 - 2020 |
