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The rumours of Karim Benzema leaving Spanish giants Real Madrid have been proven to be true, as the club announced through a statement on Sunday that Benzema will be leaving the club as a free agent at the end of the season. The French forward has been a part of the Madrid set-up since 2009 and has spent a large chunk of his career playing for Real Madrid, however, his departure has led to speculations over his future.
It is still unclear where Benzema will head after his exit from the record 14-time UEFA Champions League winners. Although many reports suggested that the 35-year-old will join the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, which participates in the Saudi Pro League. If the Saudi transfer is confirmed, Benzema will be reunited with former Real Madrid teammate and legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for the Al-Nassr.
Karim Benzema, who joined Los Blancos in 2009 at the age of just 21, has played a crucial role in winning 25 trophies in his fourteen seasons, a record for any Real Madrid player. These titles include five European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four Leagues, three King's Cups, and four Spanish Super Cups. The French striker registered his best seasons in 2021-22 for the club, where Benzema registered 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances and averaged a direct goal contribution every 66.42 minutes, and won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award.
Benzema leaving Real Madrid has also created a lot of buzz on social media sites as f ans are speculating about his future on social media. Many fans gave their humorous reactions to the news while others expressed their emotions after hearing the news of their beloved captain leaving the club.
Check some viral reactions:
This exit has created a big void in the Real Madrid squad, finding a like-to-like replacement for the French footballer will be tough for the club. As a formal expression of respect, the club has planned a ceremony for next Tuesday, June 6, at noon (CEST). At Real Madrid Sports City, Florentino Pérez, the club's president, will attend a farewell ceremony for Karim Benzema.