According to reports, the French international has signed a contract with Al Ittihad that will last until June 2025, with an option for an additional season.
In his final La Liga game before the farewell ceremony on Tuesday, the former Lyon forward equalised from the penalty spot to score his 18th goal against Athletic Bilbao, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals scored against the club.
Members of the club’s board of directors, coach Carlo Ancelotti, teammates such as Modrić, Courtois, Nacho, and Lucas Vázquez, as well as club legends such as Roberto Carlos, Arbeloa, and Raúl, were all in attendance.
The ceremony began with an emotional video featuring images of the captain and was followed by a few words from Florentino Pérez.
Florentino Pérez’s speech during the farewell was heartfelt to the legends of the club that attended the ceremony, especially when it was disclosed that Karim has won many trophies with Madrid, which nobody has done at the club.
Florentino Pérez presented Benzema with Real Madrid’s brilliant gold insignia before he gave his official farewell message during the event.
Pérez stated, “Dear Karim, you arrived at Real Madrid 14 years ago, and you have become one of the best players of all time. To everyone who has felt and feels this sadness at your departure from Real Madrid, I would like to say that this is also the time to remember the great fortune we’ve had enjoying your football throughout all these years. We have seen you do incredible things wearing our crest and our jersey all over the world. This is something that no Madridista will ever forget”.
The striker also spoke at the event, stating that his career with the Spanish giants was a childhood dream come true.
Benzema disclosed, “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible.” “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my teammates. It’s been a good journey in my life. I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who, a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house with my parents. When I saw you, I said, “He is the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo, and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.”
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