iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
We are attracting new members all the time in addition to our existing and loyal membership, says co-founder Vijay Vasu
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid to join Saudi's Al Ittihad, says report
Report says Benzema received a two-year deal worth 400 million euros to relocate to Saudi Arabia
Karim Benzema. — Reuters file
Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid following his contract expiry this month to join Saudi Arabia's football club Al Ittihad, reported ESPN on Thursday.
According to an earlier report from ESPN, Benzema received a two-year deal worth 400 million euros to relocate to Saudi Arabia in January. Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United, also received a similar offer.
Benzema has spent 14 seasons with Real Madrid and is the club's second-highest goal scorer. His trophy count with the club has been great — five UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga titles and a 2022 Ballon d'Or.
The centre-forward was expected to stay at Madrid for one more season till June 2024, but is instead now opting for a new challenge at this stage of his career.
However, Madrid will hunt for someone else to bolster the assault. Madrid is in advanced talks to sign Joselu on a loan to replace Mariano Diaz.
Benzema, who is also club captain, had an injury-hit season. He missed out on the 2022 Fifa World Cup due to a hamstring injury, but still ended with 18 goals in 23 La Liga appearances and four goals in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Benzema, one of the top young forwards in Europe, moved to Madrid from Lyon in 2009. He first had to battle Gonzalo Higuain for a spot in the team before joining Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the rest of Madrid's illustrious 'BBC' forward line.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Benzema was the club's main striker. He scored the most goals of his career in 2021-22, leading La Liga with 27, and adding another 15 in the Champions League. His performance earned him the Ballon d'Or in October 2022.
ALSO READ:
Benzema will leave Madrid with a total of 24 trophies: Four La Liga titles, five Champions League titles, three Copa Del Rey titles, three Spanish Supercopas, four UEFA Super Cups and five FIFA Club World Cups. His tally of 353 goals with the club is only surpassed by Ronaldo, who has scored 450 goals.
Following France's World Cup final loss to Argentina in December, Benzema announced his retirement from international play. Didier Deschamps had left him out of his nation's roster because he had not recovered from an injury in time for the competition to begin.
More news from Sports
The event is open to all golfers in the UAE with an official handicap
Europe lead US 6½-1½ after dominating display on day one at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club
Emirati duo ready for big fight in Sardinia to keep team crown within reach
Jeev Milkha Singh tied 12th in Asian Tour ievent at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club, Tamsui.
Warham and Casey denied on the count back at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Fire course
American Jessica Pegula beats Maria Sakkari of Greece to reach Pan Pacific Open final in Japan
Longchamp rolls out the red carpet as the flat season reaches its climax with a top-class edition of the €5m Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.