Real Madrid announced on Sunday the departure of its iconic striker Karim Benzema, after 14 years, five Champions Leagues, four league titles and a Ballon d’Or. The future destination of the French striker is not yet known.
Published on : 04/06/2023 – 12:45Modified : 04/06/2023 – 20:27
Thunderbolt in Spain. French Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, after 14 seasons with the Spanish club, the club announced on Sunday (June 4th).
“Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have reached an agreement to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” wrote Real Madrid in a press release published a few hours before the last La Liga match of the season.
On Sunday evening, the Frenchman left the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium to a standing ovation where he was playing his last match in the merengue jersey just after scoring a penalty against Athletic Bilbao. He equalized in the 72e minute against the Basques then was replaced two minutes later by Luka Modric.
Arrived in 2009 in Madrid from Lyon, Benzema leaves, at 35, an indelible mark within the Madrid club, with 25 titles including five Champions League.
His last European coronation, in 2022, opened the doors to the Ballon d’Or, the first for a French player since Zinédine Zidane in 1998. He failed this season in the C1 semi-final against Manchester City.
The number 9, long remained in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo during the Madrid years of the Portuguese, took control of the offensive game of Real once CR7 left, in 2018. He is currently, behind his former teammate, the second top scorer in club history, with 353 goals.
“An example”, “pure magic”
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, he who has perfectly represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has won the right to decide his future”, explains Real in its press release, hinting that Benzema decided on his own not to extend his contract.
“He’s one of the best players we’ve ever had,” praised Real’s director of international relations, former star Emilio Butragueno: “Football has grown so much in recent years thanks to players like Karim.”
“Benzvini, Vinzema… It doesn’t matter”, wrote his teammate Vinicius on his Instagram account, “the result has always been the same: goals, laughs, titles and, above all, learning. When the boy from Sao Gonçalo, too shy , arrived in Madrid in 2018, you were the first to welcome me. I will never forget,” added the 22-year-old Brazilian.
“Goodbye captain!!! Pure magic”, launched central defender Nacho Fernandez, while Eder Militao wrote: “Thank you Karim! Your beautiful story here at Real Madrid will be eternal. I will keep your advice, your love and your respect for me.”
Rumors about his future project
His name has been linked to Saudi Arabia for several days. According to Saudi state television, the Al-Ittihad club gives him a golden bridge to come and play in the Saudi kingdom, where Cristiano Ronaldo is already playing. According to the Al-Ekhbariya channel, the club president and his deputy were in Madrid on Sunday “to officially sign” a “record” two-season contract with the striker.
“Why should I talk about my future? I’m in Madrid. Those who talk do it on the internet, and the reality is not the internet,” Benzema retorted Thursday evening at a ceremony in tribute to his career. organized by the Spanish sports daily Marca.
Only three days after this outing, the striker’s future is partly decided: he will not write to Madrid.
Real announced the holding Tuesday at noon of a tribute to its player, in the presence of the president of the club Florentino Perez.
With AFP
