Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid after 14 years with the Spanish giants, it has been confirmed, after he received a mammoth offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia for next season.
The Frenchman, who will turn 36 years old this year, is out of contract this summer and had been expected to sign a new deal with the Spanish giants. However, a recent offer by Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad has changed things, and he is now expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, joining Ronaldo in the middle east on a proposed two year deal.
According to some sources, he will earn almost 2m euros a week on a two year deal that has the aim of making the Saudi League one of the best in world football, and could yet also include Lionel Messi before the end of the summer.
Benzema will leave Madrid as the Los Blancos second top scorer of all-time with 353 goals in 647 games, behind only Ronaldo, while he is also the current holder of the Ballon D’or due to his contribution helping Real Madrid to another Champions League title, his fifth in fourteen years.
‘Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club’, an official statement read.
‘Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends’.
Comunicado Oficial: Benzema.#RealMadrid.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 4, 2023
The news comes just days after Benzema himself denounced the rumours of his departure as ‘internet talk’, and leaves Real Madrid needing to find a striker this summer, with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen thought to be among those on their shortlist.
