“He has nothing left to prove and that allows him to go out the front door”, according to Claude Puel, his former OL coach

The departure of the French striker from Real Madrid, at the end of the 2022-2023 season, was announced by the Spanish club on Sunday.

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On November 25, 2008 at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Lyon coach Claude Puel (left) congratulates striker Karim Benzema after his team's victory over Fiorentina (2-1) in a League match champions.  (ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP)

Karim Benzema “has nothing left to prove and that allows him to leave through the front door of Real”said Sunday June 4 on franceinfo Claude Puel, former coach of Olympique Lyonnais from 2008 to 2011, during the last season of Karim Benzema before his departure for Spain. Real Madrid announced in a statement the departure of the French striker at the end of this season.

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“He arrives at an age when we ask ourselves the question as a player if we would not make the year too many by extending the leaseanalyzes Claude Puel. He is in this questioning. He’s had a few injuries lately.” The choice of Karim Benzema intervenes “after having finally succeeded in the quest for the Ballon d’Or”. The former Lyonnais has “marked the history of the club” Spanish.

“Extending a lease at Real is huge in terms of investment, a match every three days, perhaps injuries to be expected and perhaps also a level of play that may drop.”

Claude Puel, former coach of Karim Benzema

at franceinfo

He was important for Karim Benzema “to leave through the front door with an intact level, with still prowess this season. I think it’s remarkable lucidity on his part“. Karim Benzema will leave a mark “enormous” in the history of Real Madrid, adds Claude Puel: “He is already the second top scorer after Ronaldo, he has gleaned 25 titles, five Champions League, four championships, club world championships, Supercups”.

He points “the difficulty of having an eternal questioning”. French “was gradual, it progressed as it went”. For his former coach, “Ronaldo’s departure has completely liberated” Karim Benzema. “He has taken on the savior costume”.


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