Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid: After much talk of a lucrative move to the Saudi League, Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema has opted to call it quits after a spectacular and unforgettable career at the Spanish club.

Real Madrid and the French striker agreed to call time on their fairy story. The club released an official statement to express its gratitude and admiration for a player who has already become one of its most illustrious legends.

Karim Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009, at the age of 21, and has been a pivotal figure in the club’s golden era. During his fourteen seasons with the Spanish giants, he has won 25 titles, a record for any Real Madrid player: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 King’s Cups, and 4 Spanish Super Cups.

Karim Benzema holds the UEFA Ballon d’Or and is the UEFA Player of the Year, as well as being named to the FIFA FIFPRO XI and winning the Pichichi Trophy 2022. Awards were given following one of the most amazing seasons in Madrid’s history, particularly in the Champions League, in which the French striker played some historic matches that helped Real Madrid win their 14th European Cup in Paris, being the competition’s top scorer with 15 goals.

With 647 appearances, Karim Benzema is the fifth player to wear the white shirt the most times, and he is Real Madrid’s second-all-time best scorer with 353 goals. He is also Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer in La Liga and the European Cup. He is also the fourth-highest scorer in Champions League history and the fourth-highest scorer in La Liga history.

An institutional act of homage and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid Sport City next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 pm (CEST), and will be attended by the club president, Florentino Pérez.