Karim Benzema has been at Real Madrid since 2009 and recently spoke to Carlo Ancelotti about quitting, following his Ballon d'Or win last year
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Karim Benzema is to leave Real Madrid after 14 years of service and five Champions League titles.
The Frenchman picked up a Ballon d'Or last year and became the oldest player since Stanley Matthews to be given the honour, after leading Los Blancos to an historic 14th Champions League trophy. But at the age of 35 and following 353 goals in the white of Madrid, he will depart – despite signing a deal to tie him to the club until 2024.
Benzema is the last of the iconic BBC trio which also included Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale – spelling the end of an era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema is expected to leave Real Madrid for an offer in Saudi Arabia
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has spoken to Karim Benzema about his decision (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Athletic reported recently that the No.9 had received a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia – now, the same outlet says that the forward met with manager Carlo Ancelotti for a sit down "which was not considered usual or part of the team’s schedule."
Real Madrid are believed to be standing aside and respecting the player's wishes to leave. The striker moved to Real back in 2009 from Lyon and has never seriously been linked with a move since.
Karim Benzema holds the Ballon d'Or trophy after being announced as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or (Image credit: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
"Benzema’s Madrid team-mates knew he had been tempted by the offer from Saudi Arabia for several weeks and he has also asked one of the club’s physios to join him there," The Athletic claims.
Benzema will leave Real Madrid fifth on their all-time appearances list and second to just Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time scoring list.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
