Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid after denying the rumours

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Many Real Madrid fans had hoped that Karim Benzema would stay put at Real Madrid, after he seemed to have rejected the rumours of accepting the mind-blowing offer to move to Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid have now confirmed in an official statement that Benzema will leave the club this summer.

“Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end their brilliant and unforgettable stage as a player of our club,” the statement reads.

“Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection to the one who is already one of our greatest legends.

“Karim Benzema came to our club in 2009, when he was only 21 years old, and has been a fundamental player in this golden age of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has defended our shield and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record figure at Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 King’s Cups and 4 Spanish Super Cups.

“Karim Benzema is the current UEFA Golden Ball and Player of the Year, in addition to being included in the FIFPRO FIFA Eleven and winning the 2022 Pichichi Trophy. Awards received after one of the most extraordinary seasons in our history, especially in the Champions League, in which our captain starred in memorable matches that contributed to Real Madrid winning the Fourteenth European Cup in Paris, being the top scorer of this competition with 15 goals.

“Karim Benzema is the fifth player who has worn our shirt the most times with 647 games, and is the second historical scorer of Real Madrid with 353 goals. He is also Real Madrid’s second historical scorer in both the League and the European Cup. And he is also the fourth scorer of the Champions League in the history of this competition and the fourth scorer in the history of the League.

“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 fans and all the fans of the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football.

“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and his whole family the best in this new stage of his life.

“Next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 p.m., an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place in Ciudad Real Madrid, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez.”