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Karim Benzema moved to Madrid as a 21-year-old
Photo: Alberto Gardin / dpa
Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after 14 trophy-rich years. This was announced by his club.
"Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club. Real Madrid want to show their gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of our greatest legends."
The 35-year-old Frenchman had originally wanted to stay with the Spanish club for another year after a season in which he struggled with injuries and missed the World Cup in Qatar due to another injury.
However, an offer from Saudi Arabia, estimated to be worth more than 100 million euros, has arguably made him rethink his future. The Frenchman decided to remove the one-year extension clause from his contract.
"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," his club said.
The future may be in Saudi Arabia
Benzema could follow his former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to the Gulf country after the Portuguese striker signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr in December, estimated to be worth more than €200m.
Benzema, who joined Real from Olympique Lyon in 2009, scored more than 350 goals for Real and had his best season in the 2021/2022 season, scoring 44 times in all competitions. With Real, he won a total of 25 trophies, including five European Cups, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey.
Next Tuesday, Benzema is to be officially honoured and bid farewell in the presence of Real president Florentino Pérez.
mfu/AP