Real Madrid Striker Karim Benzema Leaves The Club On Mutual Consent

Karim Benzema, a French football player, has left Real Madrid.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted that an official statement has confirmed the decision to break company with the player and the club after 14 years.

The Spanish team announced on Sunday that the 35-year-old forward had reached an agreement to finish his illustrious career at the club. AFP reports this.

This week, he has also been strongly connected to a prosperous relocation to Saudi Arabia.

“Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable era as a player at our club,” said Los Blancos in a statement.

“Madrid wants to show their gratitude and all their love to someone who is one of our greatest legends.”

The announcement comes after Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had said Saturday there was “no doubt” about Benzema’s future at Madrid, noting the forward had one more year left on his contract.

And Benzema himself had said “Not everything you read on the internet is reality” after reports emerged in the week about his potential departure to Saudi Arabia, where the French forward joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Benzema established himself as a key player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the vaunted “BBC” attacking trident, before developing into the team’s leader when the Portuguese striker left in 2018.

Benzema has lived 24 trophies with Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey and is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player.

He is Real Madrid’s second top scorer of all time, with 353 goals for Madrid, behind only Ronaldo on 450.

Benzema’s final appearance for the club could be later today when Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid confirmed Saturday that Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz are all leaving this summer too, leaving plenty of space for new acquisitions in attack.

Ancelotti avoided talking on Saturday about Madrid’s alleged interest in England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

“I’m not going to talk about the future of the squad that is in place,” said Ancelotti.
“Kane is a great player, he is a Tottenham player, we have to respect the player and Tottenham.”