Benzema officially ends Real Madrid’s career after 648 games

Benzema officially ends Real Madrid’s career after 648 games

French striker Karim Mostafa Benzema has officially ended his 14-year sojourn with La Liga giants, Real Madrid with his current contract expiring at the end of June 2023.

Benzema officially ends Real Madrid's career after 648 games

The club put out an official statement to announce Benzema’s departure, bringing an end to the speculation surrounding his future in recent weeks.

The 35-year-old talisman leaves the Spanish club having won 25 titles in 14 seasons at Real Madrid, including five European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and four Spanish Super Cups.

Real Madrid put out an official statement announcing Benzema’s departure from the club while also appreciating the Frenchman as a Los Blancos legend.

Benzema leaves Real Madrid as the fifth-highest appearance maker with 647 games played in the famous white shirt behind only Sergio Ramos (671), Manolo Sanchis (710), Iker Casillas (725) and Raul Gonzalez (741).

He is also the club’s second-highest scorer of all time with 353 goals, only Cristiano Ronaldo (450) scored more for Los Blancos.

The 35-year-old is the reigning best player in the world after winning the Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year in 2022, as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPRO Eleven and winning the Pichichi Trophy for his exploits to help Real Madrid to the league and Champions League double last season.

The Real Madrid statement did not indicate Benzema’s next move as he becomes a free agent from July 1, 2023, when his current contract expires.

However, the French striker has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia after Al-Ittihad reportedly made him a lucrative offer of a €200 million yearly salary.

The huge Saudi Arabian offer is the reason Benzema has now put aside plans to renew his Real Madrid contract for an extra year and will reportedly sign for Al-Ittihad instead.

The game at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium against Athletic Bilbao was Benzema’s 648th and final game for Real Madrid as the club closed out the season in La Liga’s final matchday.