2023-06-20 17:25:41
06/20/2023 12:25hs.
Karim Benzema left the Real Madrid after 14 seasons. The striker – who became the footballer with the most titles in the club’s history – surprisingly started a new stage in his career in Saudi Arabia.
Although he was emotional and grateful to the institution at his farewell, he recently made a drastic decision that made the fans angry: unfollowed the club’s official account on Instagram.
Karim Benzema stopped following Real Madrid on Instagram.
Karim Benzema’s numbers at Real Madrid
During his time at Real Madrid, the French striker became the player with the most titles, the fifth who played the most games (with 647) and the second top scorer in the history of the merengue with 353 goals.
Since his arrival -which occurred when he was only 21 years old- Benzema got 25 titles: five European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four Leagues, three Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema celebrates his goal during the game of the last day of the League that Real Madrid and Athletic Club de Bilbao play this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. (EFE)
The millionaire figure that Real Madrid recovers the outputs
Real Madrid finished second in the La Liga standings and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals after losing to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. In this context, the Merengue board of directors made a decision: make a strong replacement in the squad. Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard y Mariano are the men who will not continue in the team
With the four confirmed departures, Real Madrid saves 75 million euros in chips. In fact, among the footballers who will not continue, are two of the best payments on the squad: Hazard received 30 million euros gross per season and Benzema 28.
Karim Benzema at his farewell. (AFP)
Karim Benzema’s arrival in Arabia
The Frenchman, the last winner of the Ballon d’Or, was presented in front of more than 50,000 fans, where he spoke for the first time after the signing and explained his decision to leave Merengue to move to the Middle East.
“I am a Muslim and it is a Muslim country. I have always wanted to live here. I have already been in Saudi Arabia and I feel good,” said the striker in his first talk with the press after his arrival in Jeddah. “The most important thing for me is that it is a Muslim country, loved and beautiful. When I spoke to my family about my signing, they were all very happy. It is where I want to be,” he added.
This is not surprising, since El Gato always spoke openly about his beliefs and on more than one occasion told how he maintained his religious routine in Spain. He has even come to play several decisive matches with Madrid on an empty stomach due to Ramadan, something that according to Benzema himself never affected him.
Regarding his signing for Al Ittihad, the attacker was very happy to play in a team with such passion and assured that he wants to leave his mark on the institution: “I hope I can contribute my football and, above all, be able to win many titles. I would like to leave a lasting legacy. I always have that competitiveness to push my limits and reach even higher. I am ready to show you my talent.”
“I want to continue raising the level of the club. The stadium is exceptional and, as I have said and will repeat, there is a lot of passion, and a good team always needs its fans. They give us the motivation to be better on the pitch,” he assured.
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