Watch: Karim Benzema finds the net before leaving the pitch for the final time as a Real Madrid player
Footage of Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema departing the field of play for the very last time in the club’s famed colours has come to the fore on Sunday evening.
The name of frontman Benzema has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Spain’s capital across the day to date.
This comes after the bombshell rumours that the Frenchman is primed for a summer exit from the Santiago Bernabeu were confirmed.
In an official statement across the club’s social media platforms on Sunday afternoon, Real Madrid announced:
‘Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.’
Official Statement: Benzema.#RealMadrid | #GraciasKarim
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 4, 2023
This, in turn, meant that this evening’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club marked Benzema’s last for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
BENZEMA SCORES IN HIS FAREWELL MATCH!
LEGEND 👑 pic.twitter.com/0k2HJLTgxi
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 4, 2023
From here, Benzema was immediately hooked by boss Ancelotti, to allow for a rousing reception from an emotional Bernabeu crowd:
Benzema standing ovation for his last game in Real Madrid shirt pic.twitter.com/St0bZgSuzV
— Mad Madrid (@MaadMadrid) June 4, 2023
And the Frenchman’s farewell continued on the pitch post-match, as Los Merengues’ stars hoisted their soon-to-be former captain into the Madrid night sky:
The players farewell for Benzema after the match pic.twitter.com/bBPhdjld0q
— Mad Madrid (@MaadMadrid) June 4, 2023