Benzema hoisted, Ancelotti: 'His departure surprised us' - Walla! sport

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Real Madrid ended the 2022/23 season with just 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, but still finished as Barcelona's runners-up after Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-2 defeat against Villarreal in extra time. But with all due respect to the runners-up struggles, tonight's game at the Bernabeu is mainly to say goodbye to the departing players - led by Karim Benzema.

Today the bombshell was dropped with the announcement of the Frenchman's departure after 14 seasons, a day after the Blancos also parted ways with Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz. Benzema's penalty that evened the score in the 72nd minute was also his 354th and final goal for the Whites, with only Cristiano Ronaldo above him with 450. Two minutes after the penalty, Benzema was substituted, and the whole Bernabeu rose to its feet.

Paying respect. Real Madrid players hoist Benzema (Photo: Reuters)

Farewell to the Bernabeu. Benzema with his son (Photo by Getty Images, PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP)

At the end of the game, Real Madrid's players hoisted Benzema in the air, and they did the same to the other three players who parted ways with the club when their contracts expire. Thibaut Courtois, who stopped a Mikel Vesga penalty in the 10th minute, paid tribute to his partner of the last five seasons: "I was honoured to play with Benzema because he is a legend, one of the greatest in the history of Real Madrid. It's a shame that he's leaving, but we understand him because he has the right to decide his future."

Carlo Ancelotti commented on Benzema's departure, saying: "His departure surprised us. He informed us of it this morning. What Benzema has done at this club is legendary and memorable, it will last forever. Now we have time to think about what we want to do. We need to do a signature on offense and we'll do it. We want a striker who can score goals and be coordinated with the players."

Gareth Bale also greeted from afar with an Instagram story: "Real Madrid legend. It's an honor to share so many great moments with you on the court. Good luck with the next step."

He says hello too. Asensio (Photo by Getty Images, Florencia Tan Jun)

Two players whose futures at the club are still uncertain are Nacho and Dani Ceballos. The two Spaniards who are terminating their contracts have not yet signed a new agreement at the club, and at the end of the game neither the players nor the fans said goodbye to them.

Furthermore, it was reported in Spain after the game that Real Madrid had offered Ceballos a three-year contract with a seasonal salary of €5 million. The Spaniard is pleased with the length of his contract, and despite doubts about the minutes he will receive, he is close to signing and staying at the Blancos.

"We explained to both of them and Asensio the roles they would have and offered new contracts," Ancelotti said of the Spanish trio, "Asensio chose to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it. I think both will stay."

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• Karim Benzema
• Real Madrid