Real Madrid announce Benzema departure with Balague predicting Man Utd transfer blow | OneFootball

Real Madrid have announced Karim Benzema’s departure from the club with the France international set to move to Saudi Arabia.

Only four players have worn the Real Madrid shirt more times than the France international with Benzema making 647 appearances and scoring 353 goals.

Those goals put him second in Los Blancos all-time highest goalscorers list with Benzema the current Ballon d’Or winner after an exceptional 2022.

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During his time at Real Madrid. Benzema won five European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and four Spanish Super Cups.

A statement on Real Madrid’s official website read: “Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club.

“Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends.

After listing all his achievements at the club, the statement continued: “Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and has represented the values ​​of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.

“Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football.

“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life.

“Next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 noon, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez.”

That means Real Madrid will now go looking for a new world-class striker with Tottenham striker Harry Kane emerging as a top target in recent weeks.

And Spanish football expert Guillem Balague revealed on Sunday that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti “likes” the Manchester United target “a lot”.

“Goodbye to Benzema. He goes to Saudi Arabia. That means the fight for a top striker will intensify. Ancelotti likes Harry Kane a lot.”

as they look to permanently replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the club in November after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

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