Leaves future open on request
When Real Madrid meet Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday (18:30 CEST), Karim Benzema could make his final appearance for the Los Blancos. According to media reports, the 35-year-old Frenchman has made a decision about his future – and decided against staying. Everything points to a move to Al-Ittihad Club in Saudi Arabia.
Update 6:53 p.m.: When asked, Benzema left his future open on Thursday evening. “I have a game on Saturday, I’m training tomorrow, so I’m in Madrid right now,” he said at an awards ceremony for the Spanish sports newspaper “Marca”.
“The Athletic” According to several independent sources from the Spanish giants, Benzema met Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday for a lengthy conversation in which he announced his departure to the coach. The attacker is said to have flirted with the financially lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia for weeks and even asked a supervisor of the Madrilenians if he would like to join him in the desert. Benzema is said to be earning around €400m in two years and could also expect further earnings if he acts as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup.
With Zaha, Gündogan & Keïta: Most valuable players with contracts expiring in 2023
Benzema’s contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the month, although a clause could have extended it until 2024. However, the club reportedly complied with the player’s wish to wait until he was clear about his future. The fact that the “Royal” let their top stars go free of charge is anything but usual. The most valuable player who left the club for free is James Rodríguez, who went to Everton FC in 2020 and had only played sporadically before that. Despite his age, Benzema would top the list of most valuable free transfers with €35m.
With the 35-year-old, one of the best players in the club’s history is leaving the Spanish record champions. Since joining from Olympique Lyon for €35m in summer 2009, Benzema has scored 353 goals and 165 assists in 647 games and won 24 titles, including five Champions Leagues.
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