Is Karim Benzema Leaving Real Madrid? Is Karim Benzema Joining a Saudi Arabian Club?
by Sona
Updated Jun 01, 2023
Who is Karim Benzema?
Karim Mostafa Benzema, born on December 19, 1987, is a French professional footballer known for his role as a striker and captain of the La Liga club Real Madrid. Considered one of the greatest strikers in history, Benzema possesses exceptional goal-scoring ability and is recognized for his technical prowess, vision, and versatility on the field.
He holds the distinction of being Real Madrid's second-highest goalscorer of all time and their leading assist provider. Throughout his career, Benzema has amassed an impressive collection of 24 trophies with Real Madrid, including four La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles, and five UEFA Champions League titles.
Benzema's football journey began in Lyon, his hometown, where he joined Olympique Lyonnais in 2005. He played a significant role in the team's success, contributing to three Ligue 1 title victories. In 2008, he was recognized as the Player of the Year in the league and earned a place in the Team of the Year after finishing as the league's top goalscorer.
He also secured his fourth league title and his first Coupe de France triumph. In 2009, Benzema made a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid for a then-record fee of €35 million. Although he faced initial challenges in establishing himself at the club, he eventually found his stride and became a consistent goalscorer.
Notably, he formed a formidable trio, known as BBC, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, which played a vital role in Real Madrid's four Champions League victories from 2014 to 2018.
Is Karim Benzema Leaving Real Madrid?
As of now, there are indications that Karim Benzema could be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the current season. Initially, it was expected that he would continue with the club for another season before they sought a long-term replacement for him in the summer of 2024. However, recent developments have raised doubts about his future at Santiago Bernabeu.
According to a report by Foot Mercato, Benzema has been convinced by an offer from Al-Ittihad, leading him to inform Real Madrid of his decision to accept the offer. The 35-year-old Frenchman has been a crucial part of the Real Madrid team for nearly 15 years and has become the face of the club since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018.
Initially, it seemed that Benzema would sign a contract extension and continue his stay at Real Madrid. However, the current situation suggests that the Ballon d'Or holder is now on the verge of leaving the club.
If Benzema does leave, Real Madrid will need to find a top-quality striker to replace him. In recent weeks, they have been linked with players like Harry Kane, Dusan Vlahovic, Victor Osimhen, and others as potential replacements. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Joselu may join Real Madrid on a loan deal.
Karim Benzema Close to Leaving Real Madrid
According to Diario AS, Karim Benzema, the star player of Real Madrid, is on the verge of leaving the club. It is reported that the French striker is close to joining a Saudi Pro League team, with an undisclosed club offering him a staggering €400 million for a two-year contract.
There are strong indications that Benzema's destination could be Saudi club Al Ittihad, as sources within the club claim that the agreement with the player is nearing its final stages. Now, it is up to Benzema and Real Madrid to officially announce the move.
For several months, the Saudi Arabian government has been working on securing Benzema's signature, and it seems that they have successfully convinced him to make the move. Benzema has even had discussions with Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the league and life in the country, further fueling speculation about his potential transfer.
Earlier today, the Real Madrid No. 9 met with his agent in Madrid. Once his departure is confirmed, it will mark the end of Benzema's remarkable 14-season tenure as a player for Real Madrid. Throughout his time at the club, he has made 647 appearances, scored 353 goals, and provided 165 assists.
Karim Benzema to Leave Real Madrid After 14 Years
After an illustrious 14-year spell, Karim Benzema is poised to bid farewell to Real Madrid and embark on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia with reigning champions Al Ittihad. The news emerged on Tuesday that the French football superstar was contemplating an offer from Saudi Arabia, and Madrid outlet AS now confirms that the move is all but certain.
Reports suggest that the Saudi Arabian government has been diligently pursuing the signing of Benzema for several months, and it appears that their persistence has paid off. The 35-year-old striker will reportedly ink a lucrative two-year contract with Al Ittihad, earning a staggering tax-free salary of €100 million per season.
While Benzema's contract with Real Madrid is set to expire at the end of the current season, many anticipated that he would extend his stay for another year. Consequently, the La Liga giants had no immediate plans to recruit another world-class number nine in the upcoming transfer window. However, the impending departure of Benzema will undoubtedly necessitate a change in their strategy.
Is Karim Benzema Joining a Saudi Arabian Club?
Karim Benzema has expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid and make a switch from Spain to Saudi Arabia, reportedly seeking advice from his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The 35-year-old striker has received a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club.
Real Madrid is aware of the offer, but no official confirmation has been made regarding Benzema's acceptance or rejection of the offer. Benzema is currently under contract with Real Madrid until 2024, as confirmed by various sources within the club and coaching staff.
After enjoying 14 successful years at the Bernabeu, Benzema seems poised to embark on a new adventure alongside his former teammate in the Gulf nation. While his future at Real Madrid had initially seemed secure, the French striker appears to have had a change of heart, seeking a fresh challenge on a different continent.
According to reports from Foot Mercato, Benzema has informed Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti of his intention to join Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad. However, it remains unclear whether negotiations between Al Ittihad and Real Madrid have taken place regarding a transfer fee for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner.
Interestingly, Benzema reportedly sought insights from Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia since January 2023, before making his decision. The French striker engaged in conversations with Ronaldo about the country and the league, ultimately leading him to accept the offer from Al Ittihad. As his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer, Benzema is set to join the Saudi club as a free agent.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, often referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid. Since 1929, they have been competing in La Liga, the top football league in Spain.
Established in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the team has always sported a white home kit. The club was honored with the title "real," meaning "royal" in Spanish, and the royal crown emblem by King Alfonso XIII in 1920. Real Madrid has been playing their home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in downtown Madrid since 1947. The stadium has a seating capacity of 81,044 spectators.
Real Madrid holds the record for the most victories in the FIFA Club World Cup, having been crowned champions five times since the tournament's inception in 2000. It is unique in European sports as it has been owned and operated by its members, known as "socios," throughout its history. The club enjoys immense support worldwide and was estimated to be worth $5.1 billion in 2022, making it the most valuable football team globally.
In terms of revenue, Real Madrid was the second-highest earning football club in the world in 2021, generating €640.7 million annually. The club's success and rich history have contributed to its widespread popularity and financial prosperity.
Is Karim Benzema Leaving Real Madrid - FAQs
Karim Mostafa Benzema, born on December 19, 1987, is a French professional footballer known for his role as a striker and captain of the La Liga club Real Madrid.
There are indications that Karim Benzema could be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the current season.
Karim Benzema has expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid and make a switch from Spain to Saudi Arabia, reportedly seeking advice from his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema has been a player at Real Madrid for 14 years, joining the club in 2009.
Reports suggest that Benzema has consulted his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia, before making his decision.