French top player Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid after fourteen years. That is the Spanish club announced on Sunday, after rumors of his departure had circulated for days. “Real Madrid and captain Karim Benzema have decided to end his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player for our club,” the statement read.
Real Madrid says it is grateful and expresses appreciation for one of the club’s “greatest legends”. Benzema started in the Spanish capital in 2009, when he was 21 years old, and has always been a key player for Real Madrid. In total he won 25 titles with the club, including the Champions League five times. Last year he was awarded the Golden Ball after a successful season with the Spaniards. He played 637 games for Real Madrid and scored a total of 353 goals. Only Cristiano Ronaldo scored more (450).
The Spanish club says Benzema has “earned the right to decide on his future”. It is not yet known what the footballer will do now. There are rumors that he will play in Saudi Arabia. At the end of 2022, Benzema already announced that he would stop as an international for France. He had then played 97 international matches, in which he scored 37 times. He missed the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year due to a muscle injury.
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