Following the exit of Brazilian left-back Marcelo this summer, Karim Benzema will be the captain for Real Madrid next season.

Benzema is currently not back for pre-season and will link up with his Real Madrid teammates on July 19th in the United States.

The France international has spent most of his holiday in the United States so was given special permission by Carlo Ancelotti to link up with the squad in the United States to avoid the long trip back to Madrid and then back to the United States few days later.

The Frenchman has been training on his own for the last few days so that he doesn’t miss a beat when he meets his teammates on Tuesday.

Benzema enjoyed the best season of his career in 2021/22. The Frenchman scored 44 goals in all competitions, shattering his own best previous single season and finishing as the leading marksman in both La Liga (27) and the Champions League (15) as Real won both.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has now confirmed no player will be signed for the first-team this summer.

Asked if Real Madrid are planning any more signings amid reports Leroy Sane was offered to the club, Carlo Ancelotti replied: “I can tell you we won’t sign anyone. We’re fine as it is.”