Real Madrid announced six before the last game of the season, against Athletic Club Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium that were forgotten in a tribute to Karim Benzema, the farewell of the French forward who has starred in a «brilliant and unforgettable stage» to leave become «one of the great myths» of Real Madrid and «one of the great legends of world football».
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«Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable stage as a player for our club. Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends», began the white club the announcement of their captain’s goodbye.
Benzema had agreed with Real Madrid for one more year of his contract and has reached an agreement so that, at the age of 35, he will begin a new phase of his life in Arab footballaccepting a proposal that significantly improves your salary.
«Karim Benzema arrived at our club in 2009, at just 21 years of age, and has been a fundamental player in this golden age of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has defended our shield and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record number for Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups», reviewed Real Madrid.
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«He is the current Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPRO Eleven and winning the 2022 Pichichi Trophy. Awards received after one of the most extraordinary seasons in our history, especially in the Champions League , in which our captain starred in memorable matches that helped Real Madrid win the Fourteenth European Cup in Paris, being the top scorer in this competition with 15 goals».
Real Madrid highlighted that Karim left as the fifth player who wore his shirt the most times with 647 games and as the second all-time scorer with 353 goals. Also the club’s second top scorer in both LaLiga and the European Cup, who stops playing as the fourth goalscorer in the entire Champions League, also fourth in LaLiga history.
«Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. He has earned the right to decide his future. Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which have made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football», highlighted the club.
«Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life,» he declared before announcing a farewell match for the legend next Tuesday at 12 noon. :00 hours at Real Madrid City, accompanied by Karim and his great supporter, President Florentino Pérez.
The feats with which he says goodbye
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In 2022 he won the Ballon d’Or, after his best season in white, in which he «starred in memorable matches that helped Real Madrid win«his 14th Champions, recorded the merengue group.
For a long time in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, the departure of the Portuguese in 2018 allowed him to take a step forward and become the offensive leader of the Merengue team.
«Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great legends of our club and one of the great legends of world football,» Real Madrid said on Sunday.
Benzema leaves after playing 647 games, which could rise to 648 this Sunday afternoon in the last league game against Athletic Bilbao, in which he has scored 353 goalsthat have made him the second best historical scorer of the merengue team, only surpassed by Cristiano (450 goals).
Benzema’s departure is a bit of a surprise after coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday seemed to have pointed to his permanence, recalling that «he has a one-year contract» and stating that «here we have no doubts» with the Frenchman.
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Benzema himself seemed to hint at his permanence by receiving an award for his career on Thursday, where he affirmed before the march rumors that these were in the network and «internet is not the reality».
EFE and AFP