Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid this summer, according to the club’s announcement on Sunday, and is now anticipated to join Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.
On Thursday, ESPN claimed that Benzema has opted to quit the LaLiga giants after 14 years in order to accept a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club.
Benzema is Real Madrid’s second-highest goal scorer of all time, having won a club-record 25 trophies, including five Champions Leagues and four LaLiga crowns, as well as the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
“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,” the club announced in a statement. “Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude and affection for a player who has already become one of our greatest legends.”Karim Benzema’s time at Real Madrid has been a model of attitude and professionalism, and he has embodied our club’s principles. Karim Benzema has earned the right to make his own decisions about his future… Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we wish him and his whole family the best in this new chapter of his life.”
The club said a memorial to Benzema will be conducted on Tuesday at its training facility.
Benzema was given a two-year contract for €400 million to transfer to Saudi Arabia in January, the same agreement as Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United.
The centre-forward was set to continue at Real Madrid for one more season, until June 2024, but has decided to take on a new challenge.
Benzema joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and, despite a rough start, established himself as part of one of the club’s most successful front lines with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
When Cristiano Ronaldo departed Real Madrid in 2018, he took over as the club’s leading goal scorer, and he enjoyed a career-best season last year, scoring 27 times in LaLiga and 15 times in the Champions League as the team won both championships. When Benzema was won the Ballon d’Or in October, his form was appreciated.
Despite missing the World Cup due to injury, Madrid’s captain scored 18 goals in 23 LaLiga games this season.
His 25 club championships include four LaLiga crowns, five Champions Leagues, three Copas del Rey, four Spanish Supercopas, four UEFA Super Cups, and five FIFA Club World Cups, which he shares with Marcelo.
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