OFFICIAL: Karim Benzema Leaves Real Madrid
Real Madrid have announced the departure of legendary attacker Karim Benzema via an announcement published on the official website. Real Madrid will hold a special tribute ceremony this Tuesday.
It was reported earlier this week that Benzema plans to move to Al-Ittihad after they offered him €400m (£346m/$439m) over two years, although he had been tipped to delay the switch and remain at the Bernabeu. Nevertheless, the hints were there, with Benzema planning a press conference to say goodbye to the club’s fans.
Benzema joined the club in 2009 and is their second-highest goalscorer ever, winning a variety of trophies along the way; he has lifted La Liga four times, and the Champions League on five occasions, while he also won the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
In Real’s statement, they said: “Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.
Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.
Madridistas and all the fans all over the world alike have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.”
The statement continued: “
Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we wish him and all his family all the best in this new stage of his life.
Next Tuesday 6 June, at 12:00pm (CEST), an institutional act of homage and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid Sport City, which will be attended by our president, Florentino Perez.”
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