What Happened to Karim Benzema? Where is Karim Benzema Going?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jun 05, 2023
What Happened to Karim Benzema?
Real Madrid has officially announced that Karim Benzema will be departing the club during the upcoming summer transfer window, following a substantial offer from a Saudi Arabian club. While it is yet to be confirmed whether Benzema will join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, his teammates, Vinicius and Eduardo Camavinga, have expressed their heartfelt tributes.
Vinicius, in particular, emphasized that he will always cherish the fact that Benzema was the first player to welcome him to the Bernabeu when he joined the club. Vinicius tweeted a message, which when translated, conveys his gratitude and admiration towards Benzema.
He referred to their unique bond using a combination of their names, "Benzvini" and "Vinzema," highlighting the positive outcomes they achieved together, including scoring goals, sharing laughter, winning titles, and most importantly, the invaluable learning experiences.
Vinicius fondly recalled his arrival in Madrid in 2018 as a shy young player from São Gonçalo and expressed his everlasting gratitude for Benzema's warm reception. This heartfelt tribute underscores the significant impact Benzema had on Vinicius both on and off the field.
"I grew up with you. We won in Spain, Europe and the world together. And I was able to applaud his Ballon d'Or with great pride. We finished this 'duo of darkness' in real life today, but I will always have our videos as inspiration and memories of an unforgettable time. Karim, we will miss you very much. Thanks for everything, legend!"
Where is Karim Benzema Going?
Karim Benzema, the winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, made a significant impact in his final appearance for Real Madrid. Just hours after the club confirmed that he would be leaving as a free agent at the end of the season, Benzema scored in Real's 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabéu. This marked the end of his remarkable 14-year tenure with the club, during which he accumulated numerous trophies.
The announcement of Benzema's departure came after speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad. However, before bidding farewell, he had one last opportunity to showcase his skills. Real fell behind in the 49th minute when Oihan Sancet found the net for Bilbao, but Benzema equalized in the 72nd minute.
The goal came from a penalty awarded to Real after Éder Militão was struck in the face by Yuri Berchiche. Benzema confidently converted the spot-kick, which earned him a standing ovation from the fans.
Throughout the 2022-23 season, the 35-year-old Frenchman faced injury challenges, which ultimately resulted in him missing out on France's World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Initially, it seemed that Benzema would remain at Real Madrid for another year, as he had a one-year extension clause in his contract. However, reports suggest that an offer from Saudi Arabia, estimated to be over €100 million ($107.05 million), caused him to reconsider his future, leading him to void the extension clause.
Benzema's legacy at Real Madrid is illustrious, having won an impressive 25 major trophies during his time with the club. This achievement makes him one of the most successful players in Real Madrid's history. The club expressed their admiration for his exemplary behavior and professionalism, stating that he epitomized the values of the institution.
Real Madrid also acknowledged Benzema's magical and unique style of football, which has earned him a place among the club's great legends and made him a revered figure in world football.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his surprise at Benzema's departure but acknowledged and respected the player's decision. Ancelotti highlighted the positive impact Benzema had during their four years working together and throughout his entire tenure at the club. The manager expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Benzema's contributions both on and off the field
Who is Karim Benzema?
Karim Mostafa Benzema, born on December 19, 1987, is a French footballer who recently played as a striker for Real Madrid in La Liga. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the history of the sport, known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, technical skills, vision, and versatility on the field.
Benzema holds the distinction of being Real Madrid's second-highest goalscorer of all time and their top assist provider. He has an impressive record of 24 trophies with the club, including multiple La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League titles.
Born to Algerian parents in Lyon, Benzema began his professional career with Olympique Lyonnais in 2005, where he played a significant role in winning three Ligue 1 titles. His outstanding performances led to him being named the Player of the Year in the league in 2008, as well as earning a spot in the Team of the Year.
That season, he finished as the top goalscorer and won his fourth league title along with his first Coupe de France. In 2009, Benzema made a high-profile move to Real Madrid in a then-record transfer fee of €35 million. While he initially faced challenges in establishing himself, he eventually found his stride and became a consistent goal scorer for the club.
His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, known as the BBC trio, played a vital role in Real Madrid's success, particularly in their four Champions League triumphs between 2014 and 2018.
Following Ronaldo's departure, Benzema adapted his playing style from a false 9 position to a lone striker. He received recognition for his performances, being included in the La Liga Team of the Season for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2022.
He also won the La Liga Best Player award twice and claimed the Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the league's top scorer, for the first time in 2022. In the same year, Benzema finished as the top scorer in the Champions League, helping Real Madrid secure their fifth title.
On the international stage, Benzema represented France and had a successful career. He won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2004 and made his senior debut for the national team in 2007 at the age of 19. Benzema earned 97 caps, scoring in three major tournaments and participating in four of them.
Despite his contributions, he was controversially left out of the squad for the 2010 World Cup and endured a five-year absence from the national team following his involvement in a blackmailing scandal in 2015. He eventually made a comeback and returned to the squad, only to announce his retirement from international football in December 2022.
Benzema has been honored as the French Player of the Year by France Football on four occasions. In recognition of his outstanding performances in 2021 and 2022, he received prestigious awards such as the UEFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, making him the fifth French player to achieve the latter. It's worth noting that at 34 years and 302 days old, he became the second-oldest recipient of the Ballon d'Or, following in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews.
Karim Benzema Saudi Contract
Karim Benzema is set to receive an astonishing three-year contract from the Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, which amounts to an astounding $643 million. The initial reports from Saudi state media suggested that Benzema's contract would be for two years.
However, it remains unclear whether the terms of the contract were altered during the late stages of negotiations or if the third year is an optional extension, similar to how Lionel Messi's now-expired contract with PSG was structured. The specific details of the contract arrangement have not been fully disclosed, leaving some room for speculation regarding the exact nature of the third year of Benzema's deal.
Karim Benzema Wechsel
After a remarkable 14-year stint with Real Madrid, Karim Benzema will be leaving the club at the end of the current season. The official announcement was made by Real Madrid on Sunday, expressing gratitude and admiration for Benzema, who has already established himself as one of the club's greatest legends.
The decision to part ways with the French striker was described as his rightful choice regarding his future. If Benzema is indeed heading to Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid's final La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday would mark his farewell appearance. The club also disclosed that an "institutional act" featuring Benzema will take place on Tuesday.
Although the details of Benzema's next destination have not been officially disclosed by Real Madrid, recent rumors strongly suggest that he is on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad. According to reports, the offer from Al-Ittihad includes a two-year contract with an annual salary of 100 million euros.
Benzema's journey at Real Madrid began in 2009 when he joined the club for a transfer fee of 35 million euros at the age of 21, coinciding with Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival. While initially overshadowed by Ronaldo, Benzema eventually emerged as a prominent figure for Real Madrid after Ronaldo's departure in 2018.
Throughout his time with the club, he has made 647 competitive appearances, scoring 353 goals and providing 165 assists. This places him in fifth place for the most appearances in Real Madrid's history and second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goals scored, with Ronaldo netting 450 goals in 438 games for the club.
Karim Benzema New Contract
In recent days, there have been speculations linking Karim Benzema to a potentially lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia. According to reports, the French striker has been offered a staggering €200 million deal spanning two seasons. In addition to the financial aspects, it is suggested that as part of this new agreement, Benzema might also serve as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia's joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The proposed offer demonstrates the significant financial commitment made by Saudi Arabian clubs, highlighting their ambition to attract top-tier talent from around the world.
The potential inclusion of Benzema as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup bid indicates the broader aspirations of the Saudi Arabian football community, aiming to enhance their profile on the international stage and host one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. While the details of the. deal and Benzema's decision are yet to be confirmed, this development showcases the growing influence and investment in football from the Middle East.
Karim Benzema Club
Real Madrid officially announced the departure of their captain, Karim Benzema, bringing an end to his illustrious and unforgettable era at the club. The statement released by Los Blancos expressed deep gratitude and affection towards Benzema, recognizing him as one of the greatest legends in the club's history.
The decision comes as a surprise considering that just a day earlier, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had expressed confidence in Benzema's future at the club, emphasizing that he had one more year remaining on his contract. In response to recent reports suggesting a potential move to Saudi Arabia, Benzema had previously dismissed them by stating that not everything circulating on the internet is true.
Benzema's journey with Real Madrid began in 2009 when he joined from Lyon, a prominent club in Ligue 1. He quickly established himself as a crucial player, forming a formidable attacking trio known as the "BBC" alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Following Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Benzema assumed a leadership role within the team.
Throughout his tenure, Benzema has accumulated an impressive collection of silverware, including a record-breaking 25 trophies with Real Madrid. Among his achievements are five UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copa del Rey titles. Additionally, he currently holds the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, recognizing him as the world's best player.
As the second-highest goalscorer in Real Madrid's history, Benzema has amassed an impressive tally of 353 goals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable record of 450 goals. While his final appearance for Real Madrid could potentially be in the La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, it marks the end of an era for both the club and the player.
Real Madrid has already confirmed the departures of other players, including Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Mariano Diaz, creating space for potential new signings in the attacking department. Ancelotti, the Madrid coach, refrained from commenting on the club's rumored interest in English and Tottenham striker Harry Kane during his recent press conference.
Karim Benzema News
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his surprise at Karim Benzema's decision to leave the club after 14 successful years. Ancelotti acknowledged that while the departure was unexpected, he respected Benzema's right to choose his future path. The 35-year-old striker will depart Real Madrid as a free agent and has been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
Ancelotti revealed that the decision came suddenly, with Benzema training normally the day before and informing him of his departure on the following day. Despite the surprise, the manager accepted Benzema's choice and recognized it as part of the club's ongoing transition. Ancelotti assured that Real Madrid would have a competitive squad for the upcoming season, with time to reflect on their plans.
Benzema marked his final LaLiga game at the Bernabeu with a penalty goal that secured a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, securing Real Madrid's second-place finish in the standings ahead of local rivals Atletico Madrid. Since joining Real from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009, Benzema became a key figure in the club's attack and a significant goal-scoring threat after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018.
Throughout his career at Real Madrid, Benzema amassed over 350 goals, placing him second on the club's all-time scoring list, just behind Ronaldo. He leaves the Spanish capital with an impressive record of 25 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four LaLiga titles, and three Copa del Rey triumphs.
Ancelotti bid farewell to Benzema, acknowledging that he had coached one of the world's greatest players and best strikers. While the departure is not a cause for celebration, the manager expressed gratitude to Benzema for his significant contributions to the club and emphasized that he had earned the right to make his own decision.
What Happened to Karim Benzema-FAQs
Karim Benzema is leaving Real Madrid after 14 years due to his decision to pursue a new chapter in his career. While the exact reasons for his departure have not been explicitly stated, reports suggest that he has received a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.
No, Benzema's departure came as a surprise to many, including Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. The decision was reportedly made last-minute, with Benzema informing the club of his departure after a training session.
Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Olympique Lyonnais and has been a prominent figure in the team's attack ever since. He spent 14 seasons with the club, establishing himself as one of their greatest legends.
Real Madrid will face the challenge of filling the void left by Benzema's departure. While his absence will undoubtedly be felt, the club is expected to explore new acquisitions in the attack to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. Ancelotti has expressed confidence in building a competitive team.
While it has been widely reported that Benzema is on the verge of joining Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, the exact details of his next destination have not been officially confirmed. It remains to be seen where he will continue his football journey after leaving Real Madrid.