The clock was ticking down to the 72nd minute when the Santiago Bernabéu stadium went silent. However, that silence lasted only a few moments, perhaps less than a second. A change was announced over the PA system. It was none other than Karim Benzema. The French forward played his last game with Real Madrid after 14 seasons. He wore the Real Madrid jersey for 647 games and s scored 354 goals and won 25 titles. On Sunday, Madrid bid farewell to the last of its legends.
The emotion was felt by every one of the 80,000 people that witnessed the game at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, including those of the fans of Athletic Club de Bilbao, Benzema's last opponent as a Real Madrid player. The French forward was able to say goodbye in the best possible way, even though his team did not win the last game of the season. KB9, as he is known worldwide, scored his team's only goal from a penalty shot. It was their only goal of the game, which ended the game in a final tie (1-1). The French forward celebration says it all: He put his hand over the Real Madrid logo, waved to all the fans who have supported him for so many years and shared one final embrace with all his teammates.
😢 La última celebración de @Benzema.#RealMadridAthletic#LaLigaSantander#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/mxt1haQ7qB
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) June 4, 2023
After the goal, his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, decided to replace him so that he would receive the recognition of the fans to whom he has given so much joy. Thousands of people applauded him while chanting his name which echoed throughout the walls of the stadium. With characteristic simplicity, he returned the applause as he circled around himself and sat down on the bench. As soon as the game was over, Benzema came out onto the field with the rest of his teammates, who shook his hand and paid tribute to him after his last game playing for the most successful team in history.
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This Sunday's tribute will not be the last one that Karim Benzema will receive from Madrid fans. The club confirmed that a press conference will be held this Tuesday (around 5:00 AM CT) at the Real Madrid sports complex.
A tough start and one of the great architects of Real Madrid's last great era
Benzema had a difficult start. Many doubted the player from Lyon (France) when he was only 21 years old. Season by season, he has won over his critics and even gained more fans. He joined in the summer of 2009, in a moment that marked a turning point for the team. Alongside him, famous soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká came to Madrid to turn around a tough situation.
His first few seasons were complicated. No one could forget the neverending debate about who should be Real Madrid's forward: him or Gonzalo Higüaín. In the summer of 2013, the Argentine player left and Benzema had the chance to establish himself as the starting forward. And, with a lot of effort, he succeeded. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, he created an attacking line that has done nothing but bring smiles to the faces of the team's fans. In their first season together, they took home their 10th title. After this triumph, Benzema and the rest of his teammates were unstoppable.
The most laureate player in the club's history
After that 10th, came the 11th, the 12th, the 13th and the 14th Champions League titles. All of them in just nine seasons and with Karim Benzema as one of their main stars.
In addition to winning Europe's top club competition, Benzema has won four Spanish Leagues, three Spanish Cups, four Spanish Super Cups, five Club World Cups and four European Super Cups. With his five Champions League titles, he now has a total of 25 titles with Real Madrid, making him the most successful player in the team's history along with Brazilian Marcelo, whom he shared a dressing room with for many seasons. In addition, the French star is the second top scorer in Real Madrid's history and the fifth player with the most games played and the first as a non-Spanish player.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
🤍✨ Nosotros también nos ponemos de pie para despedir 𝗔 𝗨𝗡𝗔 𝗟𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔 del @realmadrid y de #LaLigaHistory.
🔝 @Benzema 🔝#RealMadridAthletic#LaLigaSantander#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/73xN6yoWah
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) June 4, 2023
At the individual level, his personal showcase is not lacking in recognition either. He won the Pichichi Trophy (top scorer in La Liga) in the 2021-2022 season, the same season when he was named UEFA Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or. Benzema won four Ligue 1 titles, one French Cup and three French Super Cups while playing for Olympique Lyon, the team he played for before joining Real Madrid.
A future that could lead to Saudi Arabia
Benzema's departure marks a change in leadership at Real Madrid, as he has been captain since Marcelo left. He has the respect of the fans: you won't find a fan who won't say: "He has earned the right to decide his future." He has definitely earned it. Recently, many believed that he would stay for one more season, taking advantage of the fact that his contract expires in 2024. However, he knew it was time to end his time as a player and the club ended up making his departure official hours before he played his last game. "Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close. Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends," the statement read.
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For days, even months, there has been speculation that Benzema has been offered a tempting contract with Saudi Arabia, specifically, to join Al Ittihad, the current Saudi league champions. Rumor has it that he would make just over $100 million per season.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the French forward has already signed a deal with Al Ittihad, pending official confirmation:
🚨🇸🇦 Karim Benzema has signed main part of docs to become new Al Ittihad player joining the Saudi league — here we go!
Understand contract will be valid until 2025 but will also include option for further season.
Karim will say goodbye to Madrid fans then travel to Saudi. pic.twitter.com/OCzwszv2OL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2023
