This last phrase is a bit of after timing which plenty of people have been guilty of. His work ethic and non-problematic character have only been recognized in more recent years. During Man U he had a bit of a poor image and his focus on football for a long time was in question because of music made and way he was dressed lol. Now people have left him alone on that cause they can tell it's not the case.
Also I question how much of a celebrity he is. Man barely leaves the house. Kind of an introvert and avoids public events. His supposed vain has never shown on the pitch. Gets along with everyone. Also seems to be very well aware of what his strengths and limitations are in football. Never threw people under a bus publicly cause he didn't agree with decisions made. Made the most of his time at barca.
Of all times in history, you can easily be a celebrity now without leaving the house.
And you can easily tell how one wants to be celeb/person of note by the way they act. Whole gangsta culture etc.
Benzema is indeed a decent analogue. Like Memphis he's said many times how shy that he is and kept his close circle of shitty friends from Lyon's backyard. And yet at the same time he'd crash an Audi every summer until certain point.
Jese another one. With a poorer taste in women
Posers. Often harmless, sometimes more harm to themselves than others. But posers