Real Madrid announce Karim Benzema to leave club

Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid this summer season, the club introduced on Sunday, and he’s now anticipated to signal for Saudi Arabian aspect Al Ittihad.

ESPN reported on Thursday that Benzema had determined to leave the LaLiga giants after 14 years, to settle for a profitable supply from a club in Saudi Arabia.

Benzema is Real Madrid’s second-highest purpose scorer of all time and has gained a joint-record 25 trophies with the club — together with 5 Champions Leagues and 4 LaLiga titles — in addition to the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

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“Real Madrid C.F. and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player for our club,” Madrid said in a statement. “Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for a player who is already one of our greatest legends.

“Karim Benzema’s profession at Real Madrid has been an instance of behaviour and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the suitable to determine his future … Real Madrid is and can at all times be his house, and we want him and his total household all the perfect on this new section of his life.”

The club stated an occasion can be held at its coaching floor on Tuesday to pay tribute to Benzema.

ESPN reported earlier within the week that Benzema had been provided a two-year contract value €400 million to transfer to Saudi Arabia in January, the identical deal as Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United.

The centre-forward had been anticipated to keep at Madrid for yet one more season till June 2024 however is opting as an alternative to settle for a brand new problem.

Benzema joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and, after a tough begin, discovered a spot alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as one of many club’s most profitable ahead traces.

He took on the mantle of Madrid’s lead purpose scorer when Ronaldo left in 2018 and had a career-best season final 12 months, scoring 27 occasions in LaLiga and 15 occasions within the Champions League because the club gained each trophies. That kind was recognised when Benzema was awarded the Ballon d’Or in October.

The Madrid captain has struggled with accidents this season, lacking the World Cup, however nonetheless scored 18 objectives in 23 LaLiga video games.

His 25 trophies on the club — a report shared with Marcelo — consist of 4 LaLiga titles, 5 Champions Leagues, three Copas del Rey, 4 Spanish Supercopas, 4 UEFA Super Cups and 5 FIFA Club World Cups.