19 April 2023 , 20:09
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Karim Benzema is set to leave Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 after agreeing a fresh one-year contract extension with the club.
The striker recently turned down a lucrative offer to move to Saudi Arabia as he opts to stay in European football. It was a similar approach that saw his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo complete a stunning move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January, where he is earning in the region of £173million per year.
Benzema remains a key player for the Spanish giants and was crowned as the Ballon d'Or winner last year, capping a wonderful individual year. His incredible run of form helped fire Los Blancos to domestic and European glory.
The Frenchman netted a remarkable 44 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid including, crucially, 15 in their Champions League run. That included stunning hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages, including three goals over the two legs against Manchester City in the semi-final.
Benzema, 35, has bagged 25 goals and counting this campaign as he has once again spearheaded the attack of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. They appear set to relinquish their La Liga crown but are in the Copa del Rey final and the last four of the Champions League – for the 11th time in 13 seasons.
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Benzema has already retired from international duty with France and is out of contract in the Spanish capital this summer. However, as detailed by Diario AS, Benzema has already signalled to the club his agreement to stay for another 12 months after this summer.
Benzema has already bagged 25 goals this campaignHave Your Say! Is Benzema still the best striker in the world? Tell us what you think here.
That would take the veteran forward up to the summer of 2024 when Brazilian teenage sensation Endrick is set to arrive in Madrid from Palmeiras. It is at this juncture that Benzema may decide to move on, although there are plans for him to fulfil a non-playing role at the club once he opts to retire.
Benzema is still an undisputed key player for Real Madrid, who have no other central striking options. Their only other senior player in such a position is Mariano Diaz, who has played just 50 minutes of action in La Liga this season.
Benzema was crowned Ballon d'Or winner last year (AFP via Getty Images)Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are often deployed in wide attacking positions, where Marcos Asensio can also shine. Yet Madrid’s attacks still revolve around Benzema and there is no replacement in the squad, which helped drive their pursuit of teenage star Endrick.
Benzema has scored 349 goals across 14 seasons in the Spanish capital – numbers which accelerated following the exit of Ronaldo in 2018. Benzema primarily played a supporting role to the Portuguese superstar during their nine years together but took centre stage since, netting 157 goals and counting in five seasons.