Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema will play his final match as a Real Madrid player when he takes the field against Athletic Club on Sunday, June 4, after the club confirmed that the Frenchman will leave La Liga after 14 years with the Spanish giants. In the emotional statement released by the club, Benzema said that the player and Madrid had come to a mutual agreement and wished him luck in the future.
"Karim Benzema arrived at our club in 2009, at just 21 years of age, and has been a fundamental player in this golden age of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has defended our shield and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record number for Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups," said the statement.
He joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and will leave the club as their fifth-highest appearance-maker at 647 and is also the second all-time goalscorer for Real Madrid with 353 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 450 goals to his name.
"Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football," the club said in their statement.
"Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life," the release further added.
The club also confirmed that they will have a press conference for his departure on Tuesday, June 6, "Next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 noon, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of our president Florentino Perez"
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