Real Madrid has officially announced that club captain Karim Benzema will be leaving the team this summer as part of a mutual agreement, marking the end of an illustrious 14-year tenure.
The French striker has been a key figure in the team’s success, notably lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy five times.
Reports suggest that the Ballon d’Or holder has received a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, specifically from Al-Ittihad, the reigning champions of the league.
It is believed that Benzema has been presented with a two-year contract, making him the latest high-profile player to be enticed by the Gulf state’s significant investments in domestic football.
At 35 years old, Benzema leaves Real Madrid with an impressive collection of 25 titles, including four league championships and three domestic cups, alongside his remarkable continental triumphs.
His goal-scoring prowess is notable, having scored a total of 353 goals in all competitions during his time in the Spanish capital, making him the club’s second-highest goalscorer, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Moreover, his 647 appearances for the club place him fifth on the all-time list of appearances.