Karim Benzema set to leave Real Madrid after glittering 14-year spell – Times of India

Real Madrid has officially announced on Sunday that their star striker, Karim Benzema, will bid farewell to the club as a free agent.
The 35-year-old Frenchman, whose illustrious career at the Spanish giants spanned over 14 years, is said to be considering a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, following a tempting offer estimated to be worth over €100 million.
Benzema’s departure comes after a season marred by injuries, which ultimately resulted in his absence from the French national team’s World Cup campaign in Qatar. While it seemed likely that the seasoned striker would remain at Real Madrid for another year, the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia appears to have influenced his decision.

Real Madrid expressed their gratitude to Benzema in an official statement, acknowledging his invaluable contributions on and off the pitch.
“Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” the statement read.
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.”
If Benzema’s move to Al Ittihad materialises, he will join former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a similar switch to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in December, signing a contract reportedly worth more than €200 million.

Since joining Real Madrid from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009, Benzema has become a pivotal figure in the club’s attacking prowess. Following Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in 2018, Benzema assumed the mantle as the team’s primary goal-scoring threat.
With over 350 goals to his name, Benzema played an instrumental role in Real Madrid’s triumphs, notably in the 2021-2022 season, where he notched an impressive 44 goals across all competitions, leading the club to their record-extending 14th European title and securing the LaLiga crown.
During his remarkable tenure, Benzema amassed an astonishing 25 trophies with Real Madrid, including five European Cups, four LaLiga titles, and three Copas del Rey. His legacy within the club will forever be etched in the history books.
(With inputs from Reuters)