Real announced farewell to Benzema

Real Madrid confirmed that they have terminated the contract with 36-year-old striker Karim Benzema a year ahead of schedule, leaving him free to find a new club.

"Benzema's career at Real Madrid is a model of professionalism, symbolizing the values of the team," Real Madrid's homepage wrote today, June 4. "Therefore, Benzema has the right to decide his future."

Karim Benzema at an awards ceremony in Spain on June 1, 2023. Photo: Reuters — Karim Benzema at an awards ceremony in Spain on June 1, 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

Real will hold a tribute and farewell ceremony for Benzema on Tuesday, June 6 at the team's headquarters, and president Florentino Perez will be in attendance.

Real will play their final La Liga match of the season against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernarbeu Stadium today. Benzema will most likely play in this match, which will also be his last in a Real shirt. He has one year left on his contract but Real will allow him to leave to find a new team in the summer of 2023.

Benzema is likely to accept an offer to join Al Ittihad, the reigning Saudi League champions. According to Athletic , the club will pay Benzema $430 million over the next two seasons, equivalent to the salary Al Nassr paid Ronaldo. Benzema could be Ronaldo's rival in the Saudi League next season. In addition, Al Hilal has also offered to sign Lionel Messi with a salary equal to Ronaldo and Benzema combined. If Messi accepts the Saudi League offer, the tournament will feature three of the world's top stars.

Benzema left Lyon to join Real in the summer of 2009, joining stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso. He has scored 353 goals in 647 games for the Royal Club, and is among the record-holders for winning five Champions Leagues. Benzema's peak was the 2021-2022 season, when he won the first Ballon d'Or of his career.

With Benzema leaving Real, the team no longer has any players from 2009. Last season, they also said goodbye to Marcelo and Sergio Ramos.

In the past two days, Real also announced the departure of midfielders Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard. Asensio has agreed to move to PSG, while Hazard has not yet decided on his future.

Hoang An

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