Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will depart Real Madrid as a free agent within the shut season after 14 trophy-laden years, the membership stated on Sunday.
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future,” the membership stated.
“Madrid want to show their gratitude and all their love to someone who is one of our greatest legends.”
The announcement comes after Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had stated Saturday there was “no doubt” about Benzema’s future being at Madrid, noting the ahead had another 12 months left on his contract.
And Benzema himself had stated “not everything you read on the internet is reality” after experiences emerged within the week about his potential departure to Saudi Arabia, the place his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is taking part in for Al Nassr.
The French ahead joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 aspect Lyon.
Benzema established himself as a key participant alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale within the vaunted “BBC” attacking trident, earlier than creating into the staff’s chief when the Portuguese striker left in 2018.
Benzema has lifted 5 Champions Leagues, 4 La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Real Madrid and is the present holder of the Ballon d’Or for the world’s greatest participant.
He is Real Madrid’s second prime scorer of all-time, with 353 targets for Madrid, behind solely Ronaldo on 450.
Benzema’s last look for the membership could possibly be later at the moment when Madrid host Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid confirmed Saturday that Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz are all leaving this summer season too, leaving loads of house for brand spanking new acquisitions in assault.
Ancelotti prevented speaking on Saturday about Madrid’s alleged curiosity in England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
“I’m not going to talk about the future of the squad that is in place,” stated Ancelotti.
“Kane is a great player, he is a Tottenham player, we have to respect the player and Tottenham.”
Rise to glory
Benzema battled with Gonzalo Higuain for a daily beginning spot in his early days at Madrid, and was as soon as derided by then-coach Jose Mourinho for being a “cat” as a substitute of the “hunting dog” he wished.
While taking part in alongside Ronaldo, Benzema took the position of provider and labored onerous to offer for his team-mate.
The ahead enormously elevated his purpose output after Ronaldo left, taking part in centrally, and scored 44 in 46 video games final season, a efficiency that earned him the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
Benzema’s most up-to-date conquest was the Copa del Rey in May, with Real Madrid beating Osasuna to carry the Spanish cup for the primary time since 2014.
Benzema might cherish final season’s Champions League triumph essentially the most of all his successes as a result of he performed a vital position in successful it.
The ahead scored a surprising hat-trick to assist Madrid come from behind in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain within the final 16 and progress.
Benzema netted one other treble at Stamford Bridge within the quarter-finals in opposition to Chelsea and scored the extra-time purpose within the second leg which despatched his staff into the semi-finals.
The ahead additionally scored three targets over two video games in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to assist Madrid attain the ultimate, which they received in opposition to Liverpool in Paris — his first Champions League triumph because the staff’s figurehead.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
