(Madrid) After 14 years of a happier marriage each season, the French Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema is preparing to leave Real Madrid, a farewell at the top for this N.9 who has become a Madrid legend, at 35.
It’s the end of an era. That of a young tricolor striker who left very early – in 2009, at the age of 21 – to join one of the biggest teams on the continent. That of a complete player, sometimes criticized, long remained in the shadow of the insatiable Cristiano Ronaldo. That, finally, of a leader who became indisputable in his last years in Spain, the best of his career.
“Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” Real Madrid wrote in a statement issued on Sunday a few hours before the last game of the season in the Championship. from Spain, the reception of Athletic Bilbao which will therefore be his last match in the famous white jersey.
In 14 seasons in the “White House”, Karim Benzema leaves an indelible mark, with 25 titles including five in the Champions League won.
He is leaving almost at his peak: his last European coronation, in 2022, opened the doors to him for the Ballon d’Or, the first for a French player since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
And his lackluster last season – failure in the C1 semi-final against Manchester City, currently second in La Liga – will not have had time to erase the trace left by “KB9” in recent months, in the wake of of a heroic European campaign last year. With 15 goals scored in this edition, he will remain the man of Madrid’s 14th title.
Became captain, the N.9 has indeed clearly taken control of the offensive game of Real once CR7 left, in 2018. He is currently, behind his former teammate, the second top scorer in the history of the club, with 353 goals .
“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,” Real Madrid explained, implying that Benzema himself decided not to extend his contract.
His name has been linked for several days to Saudi Arabia, which would promise him a golden bridge to end his career there. The al-Ittihad club has, according to the Spanish press, offered him 200 million euros over two seasons to attract him to his championship, where a certain… Ronaldo is already playing. In the meantime, perhaps Lionel Messi, courted by this country of unlimited means.
Benzema will sign with Al-Ittihad, Saudi state TV channel Al-Ekhbariya reported on Sunday.
“The Al-Ittihad club has entered into an official agreement with Frenchman Karim Benzema to join their ranks in a contract that extends over two seasons,” Al-Ekhbariya said.
According to the channel, the club president and his deputy are in Madrid “to officially sign” a “record” contract with the striker.
To see him leave Madrid so suddenly remains a surprise, given his recent statements and a clause in his contract allowing him, thanks to the Ballon d’Or, to automatically renew his commitment for one more year.
“Why should I talk about my future?” I am in Madrid. Those who talk do it on the internet, and the reality is not the internet,” Benzema retorted Thursday evening during a ceremony in tribute to his career organized by the Spanish sports daily Marca.
“He has a one-year contract, which is why we have no doubts” about his future, his coach Carlo Ancelotti added on Saturday.
The day after this outing, the striker’s future is therefore partly decided and will not be written to Real, who announced the holding of a tribute to his player on Tuesday at 12 p.m., in the presence of club president Florentino Perez. .
In the meantime, “El Nueve” is expected to kick off La Liga matchday 38 against Bilbao, for a final appearance at the Bernabeu stadium. This will be his 648th game in the jersey that promoted him to soccer stardom.