Real Madrid (Madrid) forward Karim Benzema is going out on Sunday for the last time with the White Ballet shirt, after 14 years of being a part of the Spanish club, the world media reported.
The 35-year-old Ballon d’Or winner, who joined the team in 2009, is leaving on a free transfer, although just a day ago the club’s manager said he expected the former France international to stay at Real next season.
Benzema received a “record offer” from Al-Ittihad, according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. Later, Saudi state television announced that Benzema would sign a two-year contract with Al-Ittihad.
The striker’s departure was officially announced by the club. He said in a statement that “Benzema was an example of behavior and professionalism and represented the values of our club”.
It is the third first-team player to be confirmed to leave Real Madrid in two days, after it was announced on Saturday that both Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio would also leave this summer.
The Frenchman won a total of 25 major titles with Real (Madrid), a record for the club.
Benzema is a Ballon d’Or winner, having led Madrid to the Champions League title last season with 15 goals in the competition.
His trophies include five Club World Cups and three Copa del Rey triumphs.
Benzema, who has played 647 games for Real (Madrid), is second on their all-time goalscoring list with 353 – only Cristiano Ronaldo has more, the BBC notes.
His last appearance with the team is on Sunday against Atlético Bilbao, which is the final game of the 2022-23 La Liga season.
“Madridians and all the fans around the world enjoyed his magical and unique football that made him one of the great legends of our club and one of the great legends of world football,” added the club.
“Real (Madrid) is and always will be his home and we wish him and his entire family the best in this new phase of his life,” the statement added.
Madrid will finish second in La Liga if they win on Sunday – but they are 11 points behind champions Barcelona and failed to retain their Champions League title after being beaten in the semi-finals by Manchester City.
Those frustrations have led to many changes being talked about at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer – with Benzema’s departure among the most seismic.
With a number of key players leaving, Real will need to bring in a new striker.
Balague says Spanish striker Joselu could join on loan from Espanyol, while Ancelotti is a fan of Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Real are also planning a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe next summer.
Speaking on Saturday, Ancelotti said: “Kane is a great player, he is from Tottenham and we have to respect both the player and the club.”
