Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years

Real Madrid announced this Sunday that it had reached an agreement with Karim Benzema for the Frenchman to leave, after more than a decade in the Merengue team.

“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 said in a statement. “Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and he has represented the values ​​of our club,” added the Spanish club.

“Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future,” states the note from Real Madrid, implying that it was the player’s decision to leave the club of which he is already a legend.

The Frenchman still had one more year on his contract with Real Madrid after an automatic renewal clause became effective for winning the Ballon d’Or last year.

Arriving at Real Madrid in 2009, at the age of 21, Benzema leaves the Merengue club after 14 seasons and 25 titles, which make him the man who has won the most trophies in white, along with Brazilian Marcelo.

His huge record includes five Champions Leagues, four Leagues, five Club World Cups or four European Super Cups, among others.

For a long time in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, the departure of the Portuguese in 2018 allowed him to take a step forward and become the offensive leader of the Merengue team.

Benzema leaves after playing 647 games, which could rise to 648 this Sunday afternoon in the last league match against Athletic Bilbao, in which he has scored 353 goals, which have made him the second best all-time scorer in the Merengue team, only surpassed by Cristiano (450 goals).

Benzema’s departure is a bit of a surprise after coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday seemed to have pointed to his permanence, recalling that “he has a one-year contract” and stating that “here we have no doubts” with the Frenchman. According to the Spanish press, Benzema could end up in Saudi Arabia.