By Ibrahim Danladi
Real Madrid and Karim Benzema have decided to part ways after a remarkable 14-year journey together. The official statement confirming Benzema’s departure came after speculations surrounding his future. The 35-year-old forward, who has been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, agreed to end his glittering era at the Spanish club.
Real Madrid expressed their gratitude and love for Benzema, acknowledging his status as one of their greatest legends. This decision follows comments made by Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who previously stated that there was no doubt about Benzema’s future at the club due to his remaining contract year.
Addressing the rumors surrounding his potential move, Benzema emphasized the unreliability of information on the internet. Since joining Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, he has played a vital role alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the renowned “BBC” attacking trident. Following Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, Benzema further cemented his leadership within the team.
During his tenure at Real Madrid, Benzema achieved an impressive tally of 24 trophies, including five Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copa del Rey trophies. He currently holds the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player. With 353 goals for the club, he stands as Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer, only behind Ronaldo’s record of 450 goals.
Benzema’s potential final appearance for Real Madrid could be in the upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu. In addition to Benzema’s departure, Madrid also confirmed the exits of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Mariano Diaz this summer, creating space for new attacking acquisitions.
Regarding the speculated interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Ancelotti opted not to discuss the future of the current squad, emphasizing the need to respect Kane as a player of Tottenham.
The departure of Benzema marks the end of an era at Real Madrid, prompting both the club and fans to reflect on his invaluable contributions to the team’s success over the years