"The reality is not the internet": Karim Benzema extends the mystery over his future career choice

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: JOSE JORDAN / AFP 21:18 p.m., June 01, 2023

French striker Karim Benzema, at the end of his contract at Real Madrid and courted in particular by Saudi Arabia, tackled Thursday night the rumors about his future, ensuring that "those who speak do it on the Internet, and the reality is not the Internet". "Why should I talk about my future? I am in Madrid. Those who speak do so on the Internet, and the reality is not the Internet," Benzema said Thursday night at a ceremony in tribute to his career organized by Spanish sports daily Marca.

The French centre-forward has been at the centre of rumours in recent days. His contract ends on June 30, but thanks to the Ballon d'Or won in 2022, he could automatically renew his commitment for a fifteenth season at Real, according to a clause included in his contract.

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Saudi Arabia's offer?

According to the Spanish press, Benzema has received an offer from Saudi Arabia, which offered him €200m over two seasons to lure him into his league, like the Frenchman's former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. "For now, I'm here, I have training tomorrow (Friday), I'm having fun every day and on Sunday I have a game" against Athletic Bilbao.

"I'm very proud of my work and I really enjoy every practice, every game. That's the most important thing: to have fun. When I go to Valdebebas, for me it's not work, and the day it becomes one, I will say: 'enough is enough'," said the former France international. "I enjoy football, like the kids. In my head, I'm still a child," said the father, in front of a group of children wearing his shirts, Lyon and Real. "I know how to score goals, but what I like about football is what I can do on the pitch: the movements, the passes... in my position, I try to do things that you don't see in other strikers," Benzema added, adding that Brazilian Ronaldo, his role model and former Real player, "was not just a goalscorer, he also made feints, passes...".

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Proud of his career at Real

Benzema has repeatedly said he is proud of his time at Real, and wanted to stress the importance of his teammates in his trajectory. "When a player receives a trophy, he always owes it to the whole team. Without my teammates, I wouldn't have reached this level. I have talent, but you always need others. We always need the team" Along with Marcelo, Benzema is the player who has won the most trophies at Real Madrid (25).