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Alex Kirkland, ESPN FC
Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires this month, the club announced on Sunday, and he is now expected to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
ESPN reported on Thursday that Benzema had decided to leave the LaLiga giants after 14 years, to accept a lucrative offer from a club in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema is Real Madrid’s all-time second highest goal scorer and has won a joint-record 25 trophies with the club — including five Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles — as well as 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 on Sunday. “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 career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future …Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and his entire family all the best in this new phase of his life.”
The club said an event would be held at its training ground on Tuesday, June 6, to pay tribute to Benzema.
ESPN reported earlier in the week that Benzema had been offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to Saudi Arabia in January, the same deal as Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United.
The centre-forward had been expected to stay at Madrid for one more season until June 2024 but is opting instead to accept a new challenge.