It seems that the Internet was right. French forward Karim Benzema will not continue next season at Real Madrid after accepting an offer from Al Ittihad of the Saudi league.
The same Spanish club reported in a statement that a mutual agreement was reached to put an end to a history of more than 14 years: “Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club (…) Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football”, read in part of the statement.
“El Gato” signed for Real Madrid in 2009 from Olympique de Lyon, ending a successful 14-season spell at the Merengue club where he won five Champions League, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four Leagues, three World Cups, Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.
Benzema also leaves as a Madrid legend, being the fifth player with the most games played (647), the footballer with the most titles along with Marcelo, with 25, and he is the second top scorer in the history of the capital club with 353 goals, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (450).
Now, the Frenchman would be destined for the Saudi Arabian league, where his colleague and former adventure partner in Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), plays. As reported by Al Ikhbariya television, the president of the Al Ittihad club, Anmar al Haeli, and the vice president, Ahmad al Kaaki, traveled to Madrid “to officially sign a record agreement with Benzema.”
Benzema leaves Real Madrid, considered one of its great historical stars, a member of a litter that will go down in football history as one of the most successful in the sport.
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