“I don’t have many words for it, it’s also a bit sad, it hurts to leave the club. I had a dream, sign and finish at Real Madrid, but sometimes in life there are other opportunities and I take them with my family,” Benzema said at a farewell ceremony hosted by Real Madrid.
The France international said he was proud to be part of “the best club in the world”, admitting he dreamed of ending his career at Real Madrid but that an “opportunity” presented itself in the Arab football.
“It’s hard to speak with so many emotions, but I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my teammates. It’s been a good journey in my life and I’m lucky to have fulfilled a childhood dream, when the president [Florentino Pérez] it was my house, in my 21 years, to talk to my parents,” the striker revealed.
Benzema spoke at a farewell ceremony hosted by Real Madrid on Tuesday, after 14 years with the club, between 2009/10 and 2022/23who made it the footballer with the most trophies won by the Spanish emblem.
“When I saw him, the person who hired Zizou [Zidane] and Ronaldo, and he wanted me for his team. I will never forget Real Madrid, it is impossible, it is the best club in the world and in history, but I think it is time to leave,” the player justified, without specifying which club he will go to.
“We are all very proud of you. You arrived very young and became one of our greatest legends, part of a legendary team, a spectacular player in the way you understand football, with your goals and impossible actions,” said Florentino Pérez .
At his farewell, the 35-year-old striker also thanked coach Carlo Ancelotti, his last before the ‘merengues’ and present at the ceremony, alongside teammates Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Lucas Vázquez and Nacho Fernández, alongside former players Roberto Carlos, Raul González and Arbeloa.
Finally, the striker promised that he will continue to follow the club’s matches and guarantee the sincerity of his thanks to the fans throughout all these years.
His retirement comes two days after the club announced the departure of Karim Benzema after 14 seasons.
“Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have reached an agreement to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player of our club. Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and all affection to one of its greatest legends,” said the club in a statement. .
The France international came to Real Madrid in 2009, aged just 21, from Lyon, the club where he graduated and made the main squad.
Before the ‘merengues’, the attacker, currently 35 years old, won 25 titles, including five Champions Leagues, four European Super Cups, five Club World Cups, four Spanish Leagues, three Super Cups and three King’s Cups.
The striker has also won several individual awards, including winning the Ballon d’Or, France Football’s award for the best footballer of the season, which will be awarded in 2022.
“Benzema is the fifth player to wear our shirt most often with 647 matches, and is Real Madrid’s second historic goalscorer, with 353 goals”indicated Real Madrid, who saw it this season, the attacker was used in 42 games in different competitions, in which he scored 30 goals.
Source: DN
