Spain’s record champions Real Madrid missed out on a win in Karim Benzema’s last game. Real did not get more than 1: 1 (0: 0) at home against Athletic Bilbao, but due to the simultaneous 2: 2 (1: 1) of local rivals Atletico Madrid at FC Villarreal, the royal team retained second place behind champions FC Barcelona.
Oihan Sancet (49′) took the lead shortly after the break, but Benzema of all people equalized in his last home game for Real with a penalty kick (72′) and was substituted a few moments later. Real previously announced that Benzema will leave the club after 14 years with Saudi Arabia as a possible destination.
The world footballer of 2022 will officially say goodbye on Tuesday in the training center of the “royal” in Valdebebas, north-east of Madrid, with a celebration. “Real Madrid want to show all their gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of our greatest legends‘ the club said.
Kroos causes penalty, Courtois saves
The striker leaves Real after 14 years, 648 competitive games with 354 goals and a total of 25 titles. According to media reports, Benzema is likely to follow his former club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. Benzema, whose contract in Madrid expires on June 30, was offered an annual salary of 100 million euros in the Gulf state, it said. According to reports from Saudi state television, he will play at club Al-Ittihad in the future.
Benzema, who is leaving the club along with Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, made another appearance for Real on Sunday. The better team at first was Bilbao, who deservedly took the lead through Oihan Sancet (49th). Former world champion Toni Kroos caused a hand penalty early on when the ball hit his upper arm in the penalty area. But Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved the penalty against Mikel Vesga (10th).
