After 14 years with Real Madrid, Karim Benzema will depart the team at the end of this month.
When the current campaign is over, the Ballon d’Or-winning striker, who transferred from Lyon to the Spanish powerhouse in 2009, will leave on a free transfer.
Benzema, 35, helped Madrid win four La Liga championships and five Champions Leagues. The Frenchman set a club record by winning 25 major championships with Real Madrid. With 15 goals in the Champions League last year, Benzema, a current Ballon d’Or winner, led Real Madrid to victory. Five Club World Cups and 3 Copa del Rey victories are also among his accomplishments.
Benzema, who has one year left on his contract, is planning to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and relocate to Saudi Arabia after obtaining a “record offer” from Al-Ittihad. Benzema will sign a two-year contract with Al-Ittihad, according to rumours.
He is the third first-team player whose departure from Real Madrid has been made official in the past two days, after the announcements of Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio’s departures.
Real will now need to start looking to sign a new striker as several important players are departing the club alongside Benzema.
