The Lyon-trained French international equalised in the 72nd minute against Bilbao, on the 38th and final day of La Liga, then was replaced two minutes later by Luka Modric, allowing the Madrid crowd to salute one of the best scorers in the club's history.

On his way out, the striker was greeted by his teammates, then by the entire Madrid bench, embracing his coach Carlo Ancelotti.

At the end of the match, he was carried in triumph by his partners, just like Marco Asensio who will also leave the Madrid club.

After fourteen years in the mythical white jersey, Benzema will fly at 35 years old to new adventures, perhaps in Saudi Arabia where, according to Saudi state television, the club of Al-Ittihad makes him a golden bridge.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner played his 648th with the Madrid shirt on Sunday, scoring 354 goals. Within the "White House" he will leave an indelible mark, with 25 titles including five Champions Leagues won.

Karim Benzema carried in triumph by his teammates at the end of the match against Athletic Bilbao, on June 4, 2023 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid © Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP

This season he finished second in the scoring table with 19 goals behind Barça's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (23 goals), who did not score in the evening in Barcelona's defeat at Celta Vigo (2-1).

Atlético joined in extremis

For its part, Atlético Madrid, reduced to ten after the exclusion of Belgian Axel Witsel (71st), was joined at 2-2 in extra time on the field of Villarreal (5th). Diego Simeone's team, within seconds, finished in third place.

But the positions are anecdotal regarding the first four places since Barcelona (champion), Real, Atlético and Real Sociedad (4th), who won at home against Sevilla FC (2-1), will play the Champions League next season.

Villarreal striker Jorge Pascual scores against Atlético Madrid, on June 4, 2023 in Vila-Real © JOSE JORDAN / AFP

Villarreal and Betis Sevilla (6th) will play the Europa League and Osasuna (7th) the Conference Europa League.

Athletic Bilbao, despite their very good game in Madrid, finished in eighth place, the first non-qualification for a European Cup.

At the bottom of the table, the verdict also fell: Almeria saved themselves by going to snatch the 3-3 draw in Barcelona against Espanyol, a result that condemns Valladolid to relegation, hung by Getafe at home (0-0). Valladolid will accompany Espanyol and Elche in D2, condemned before this last day.

At the kick-off of their match Espanyol let Almeria play without opposition in the first minute of the match in protest against the refereeing that would have been unfavorable to them.

© 2023 AFP