Karim Benzema and Medhi Amine invest in Dubai property
Dubai’s property market continues to attract some of the world’s biggest sports names, with football stars Karim Benzema and Medhi Amine becoming the latest high-profile buyers to invest in the emirate.
Benzema has purchased several residential units in Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City, while former Morocco captain Medhi Amine has acquired a home in Eywa Tree of Life as he prepares to relocate permanently to Dubai.
Their purchases add to a growing list of celebrities and athletes choosing the city not only as an investment destination, but increasingly as a long-term home.
Benzema expands his Dubai property portfolio
French football star Karim Benzema has acquired multiple residences within Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City.
His purchases include a luxury home in Vision Iconic Tower, the largest tower within the master development.
The deal reflects the increasing interest from global celebrities, international investors and high-net-worth individuals in Dubai’s luxury real estate market.
Binghatti chairman Muhammad Binghatti said Benzema’s investment demonstrates the appeal of projects developed in Dubai for an international audience.
The company has increasingly positioned itself around high-profile collaborations and luxury-branded developments designed to attract buyers from around the world.
Medhi Amine plans permanent move to Dubai
Former Morocco captain Medhi Amine, who played at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, is taking an even more permanent step.
The footballer has purchased an apartment at Eywa Tree of Life and is preparing to move permanently to Dubai.
The development reflects another trend emerging in the city’s luxury property market.
International athletes and celebrities are no longer looking at Dubai simply as a place for second homes or short-term investments. For many, the emirate is increasingly becoming their primary base.
Privacy, international connectivity, lifestyle and quality of life are among the main reasons driving that shift.
Why global celebrities are choosing Dubai
Dubai has become increasingly attractive to internationally mobile buyers for a combination of financial and lifestyle reasons.
There is no annual property tax or capital gains tax, allowing investors to retain a larger share of their returns compared with many global property markets.
Rental yields can also reach around 6 to 8 per cent, while foreign buyers are allowed to own freehold property in designated areas.
Qualifying property investments can also provide access to long-term residency through the UAE’s Golden Visa programme.
But financial incentives are only part of the story.
Dubai’s safety, infrastructure, global flight connections and cosmopolitan lifestyle have helped turn the city into one of the most attractive residential destinations for people whose careers require constant international travel.
A growing list of famous homeowners
Benzema and Amine join an expanding group of well-known figures from sport and entertainment who have invested in Dubai property.
Celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Tiger Shroff, Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan and former Australian cricketer Brett Lee have all been linked with property ownership in the emirate.
The increasing concentration of internationally recognised names is helping strengthen Dubai’s image as more than a regional property market.
It is becoming a global luxury residential destination competing directly with cities such as London, Miami and New York.
Luxury home sales continue to rise
The scale of Dubai’s ultra-prime market continues to expand.
According to figures cited by industry experts, 296 homes priced above $10 million were sold in Dubai during the first half of 2026, with a combined value of approximately $5.1 billion.
That level of activity underlines the depth of demand at the very top of the market.
Luxury buyers are increasingly looking beyond traditional villas and penthouses towards branded residences, wellness-focused developments and highly personalised living concepts.
Projects connected to global automotive, fashion and hospitality brands have become a particularly important part of that evolution.
Wellness is becoming part of the luxury equation
Another factor strengthening Dubai’s appeal is the growing emphasis on wellness and longevity.
Developers are increasingly incorporating health-focused amenities, advanced wellness facilities and lifestyle services into premium residential projects.
Industry executives believe this will become even more important as wealthy international buyers look for homes that offer more than location and design.
For globally mobile individuals, the ability to combine privacy, health, connectivity and luxury in one city is becoming a major purchasing factor.
Dubai becomes a long-term home for global talent
The purchases by Benzema and Amine reflect a wider transformation taking place across Dubai’s real estate market.
The city is still attracting investors looking for returns, but it is also attracting people who want to build their lives here.
For footballers and other public figures, Dubai offers a rare combination of international access, privacy, security and high-end living.
And as more global names choose to buy homes — and in some cases relocate permanently — the emirate’s luxury property market is becoming increasingly connected to the world of international sport, entertainment and celebrity.
Karim Benzema and Medhi Amine may be the latest football stars to invest in Dubai, but they are part of a much bigger trend: global personalities increasingly choosing the city not just for property, but for their future.
