Karim Benzema insists he planned to retire at Real Madrid despite £258m Saudi Arabia transfer

‘It really hurts, it’s not easy’: Karim Benzema insists he ‘really wanted to retire’ at Real Madrid despite agreeing his three-year £258m deal to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad – as he bows out a legend after 14 fruitful seasons at the Bernabeu

  • Karim Benzema has agreed to sign with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad
  • The striker won Madrid four LaLiga titles and five Champions League trophies
  • Florentino Perez held a goodbye ceremony to honour Benzema on Tuesday 

Karim Benzema urged that he ‘really wanted to retire’ at Real Madrid as he waved farewell to the club on Tuesday after 14 trophy-laden seasons at the Bernabeu.

The French superstar will leave the LaLiga giants to join Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract worth £258million this summer. 

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez hosted a farewell ceremony on Tuesday morning to honour the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, who leaves the Bernabeu with four LaLiga titles, five Champions League crowns and five Club World Cup trophies.

During the event, Benzema said: ‘It really hurts, it’s not easy, I really wanted to retire here, but sometimes directions change.

‘I’ll always be watching Madrid games and I will always support Real Madrid, the best club in the world. Real Madrid will always be my family.’

Karim Benzema (middle) will leave Real Madrid after 14 trophy-laden campaigns this summer

The French superstar is joining Al-Ittihad, who are the reigning Saudi Pro League champions

The French superstar is joining Al-Ittihad, who are the reigning Saudi Pro League champions

The Frenchman closed off his farewell speech by saying: ‘As I said the first day, 1, 2, 3… Hala Madrid!’

Perez added: ‘Dear Karim, 14 years ago you arrived at Real Madrid and you have become one of the best players of all time. You are one of the symbols of this club, one of our greatest legends.

‘You have managed to move all of us who love football. You are a different footballer and it is true that some took time to understand you.

‘Today is a very difficult day for me. Some took a while to understand you, but you were always a different player. Benzema leaves Real Madrid with the love of the whole world. You are one of the chosen ones.’

Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez issued Benzema a heartfelt farewell on Tuesday morning

Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez issued Benzema a heartfelt farewell on Tuesday morning

Benzema (left) will face his ex-Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo (right) in Saudi Arabia

Benzema (left) will face his ex-Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo (right) in Saudi Arabia

Benzema’s new club Al-Ittihad are managed by the former Wolves and Tottenham coach Nuno Espirito Santo and finished five points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi title race this season.

His lucrative move comes amid a drive by the Saudi authorities to bring in high-calibre players who have regularly played in Champions League or World Cup finals.

Ronaldo, 38, signed for Al-Nassr in December after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United and has scored 14 goals in 19 outings so far in Saudi football.

Al-Hilal want to sign Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi, 35, after he confirmed his exit from Paris Saint-Germain and are believed to be preparing a lucrative deal worth £345m per season.

Al-Ittihad are coached by the former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo

Al-Ittihad are coached by the former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo

Benzema scored a penalty on his farewell appearance against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night

Benzema scored a penalty on his farewell appearance against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night

Benzema’s yearly Saudi deal is worth £86m (€100m) tax free, with add-ons included for promoting the country’s 2030 World Cup bid. 

Having chalked up 648 appearances for Real Madrid, Benzema’s legacy at the Bernabeu will long be considered among the very best, with the 35-year-old striker scoring over 350 goals during his 14-year spell. 

Benzema scored a penalty on his farewell appearance for Real on Sunday night as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao.

Moments after drawing his side level from the spot, he received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd while being substituted off.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk