Real Madrid formalizes the departure of Karim Benzema

He goes like a legend. Karim Benzema will no longer be a Real Madrid player next season. It seems crazy to write but the merengue club formalized this Sunday the departure of its captain in a long press release. “Real Madrid want to show their gratitude and all their affection to someone who is already one of our greatest legends.”, summarizes the Spanish club. An earthquake since we are talking about one of the emblematic players of the White House. From the current Ballon d’Or and the latest UEFA Player of the Year.

The sirens of Saudi Arabia have surely been too strong, even if the future destination of the former Lyonnais is not yet official. According to several media, a Saudi club, however, offered him 200 million euros over two seasons to attract him to his championship, like his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. And if he could automatically renew his commitment for a fifteenth season at Real when his contract ends on June 30 thanks to a clause linked to obtaining the Ballon d’Or, he could not reject this fabulous proposal. And chose to end 14 successful years in Madrid.

An unforgettable 2021-22 season

Arrived in 2009 at Real from Lyon, Benzema took advantage of his visit to leave his mark on the history of the Madrid club. A feat when you know the weight of Real Madrid in the landscape of world football. Winner of 25 trophies, including five Champions League, KB9 has grown over the years. First a luxury lieutenant of Cristiano Ronaldo, he then established himself as Real’s attacking leader from the Portuguese to become Real Madrid’s second all-time goalscorer with 353 goals.

If his last season did not live up to expectations on a collective level, Benzema notably signed an unforgettable 2021-2022 financial year. His 15 C1 goals helped Real Madrid win their fourteenth C1. An exceptional year which allowed him to win the first Ballon d’Or of his career at the age of 34, the first for a French player since Zinédine Zidane in 1998. And while he has scored 18 goals in 23 Liga and 30 achievements in 42 games in all competitions in 2022-2023, he left Real at the height of his glory. And his reputation.

He “has earned the right to decide his future”

His time in the White House will inevitably remain in the history books. It’s not for nothing that Real talks about its “greatest legends“time to say goodbye to him.”Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid was an example of behavior and professionalism, he who perfectly represented the values ​​of our club. Karim Benzema has won the right to decide his future“, explains the club, which announced the holding Tuesday at 12:00 of a tribute to its player, in the presence of the president Florentino Perez.

The White House, however, finds itself facing quite a challenge. Taken aback and while the biggest club in the world had in mind to strengthen its attack to best support the Frenchman, he will have to find during this summer how to compensate for this lack of weight.

Thursday, Benzema had however denied the rumors about his departure. “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“, retorted the French. But he finally chose to turn the golden page of his adventure at Real faster than expected. And to open a new chapter at 35 when he will know his third club after OL and Real.