The 14-year stay of Karim Benzema at Real Madrid has come to an end, after bidding farewell to the 14-time European champions on Tuesday.
This was in a small, private ceremony for fans and media, as he lives the La Liga club as a free agent at the close of the season.
Reuters reported that the 35-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal with Saudi Arabian Club, Al Ittihad, for an estimated to be worth more than 100 million euros ($106.93 million).
The 20 minutes ceremony saw the attendance of players, family members and close friends.
“I will never forget Real Madrid. It’s impossible, it’s the best club in history. But I think today is the time to leave and to get to know another story”, Benzema told the small audience at Real’s training facility.
” It is difficult to talk with so many feelings, but I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my teammates. It was a good path in my life. I have been lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream”, he added
Benzema joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 from Olympique Lyonnaise. The French man became a key pillar in Real’s attack and the main man after Christiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018.
Benzema scored 354 goals in more than 650 appearances for the Spanish club – becoming the second all-time top scorer behind Christiano Ronaldo.
The five-time champions league winner had his best season in the 2021/22 season – when he scored 44 times in all competitions – helping Real Madrid win the Champions League for a record 14 times.
He also won the Ballon d’Or Award that year as he became only the second French player to win the Award after Zidane in 1998.
