Officially. After 14 years at the club, Real Madrid announced on Sunday that striker Karim Benzema is leaving the club. Benzema arrived at Real in the summer of 2009, at the age of just 21. During his 14 seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu he won 25 trophies, a record number for Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Spanish League titles, 3 Copa del Rey and 4 times the Spanish Super Cup.
Benzema won the FIFA Ballon d'Or last year, as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPRO Eleven and won the 2022 Pichichi Cup, the top scorer in the Spanish league. Benzema ranks fifth in appearances for the Whites with 647 appearances, and second in Real Madrid's all-time top scorer table with 353 goals.
Real's official statement read: "Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future. Madridistas and all the fans around the world enjoyed his magical and unique football, which made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football. Real Madrid was and always will be his home, and we wish him and his entire family the best in this new phase of his life."
The hottest sports articles and updates on your Telegram
Join
On Tuesday, a farewell farewell ceremony will be held for Benzema at the offices of Real's home stadium along with club president Florentino Perez, the professional staff and the players.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us
