La Liga | Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid

(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 released on Saturday a few hours before the last match 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.

25 tracks

In 14 seasons in the “White House”, Karim Benzema leaves an indelible mark at the age of 35, 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 the Ballon d’Or, the first for a French player since Zinédine 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 during this edition, he will remain the man of 14^e Madrid 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.

Saudi Arabia in focus

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.

Seeing 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, ”retorted Benzema Thursday evening during a ceremony in tribute to his career organized by the Spanish sports daily. brand.

“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 exit, the future of the striker is therefore decided, and Real announced the holding Tuesday, June 6 at 12 p.m. of a tribute to his player, in the presence of the president of the club Florentino Perez.

In the meantime, “El Nueve” is hoped for at the start of the 38^e La Liga day against Bilbao, for a final appearance at the Bernadeu stadium. This will be his 648^e game in the jersey that promoted him to soccer stardom.