Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, said that he was taken aback by Karim Benzema’s choice to quit the club after 14 trophy-laden years, but he emphasized that the winner of the Ballon d’Or has earned the right to determine his future.
The French striker, who is 35 years old and will leave Real Madrid as a free agent at the end of the current season, has been connected with a high-paying transfer to the Saudi Arabian team Al Ittihad.
“Everyone was taken aback by his decision to go, but it is something that really must be understood. Ancelotti said to the media after Real’s match against Athletic Bilbao that the decision to substitute players came at the eleventh hour.
“He went about his usual training routine yesterday, and today he made this decision. We have come to terms with it. This morning, when I spoke to him, he informed me that he would be departing, and I understood.
“He has given it careful consideration, and his choice is a component of the shift that this club is through and will continue to undergo in the next year. Now is a good moment to consider the tasks that lie ahead of us. Next year, we’ll have a team that can compete at a high level.
Benzema scored a penalty kick in his farewell LaLiga game at the Bernabeu on Sunday to seal a 1-1 draw against Bilbao. This result ensured that Real Madrid ended in second place in the rankings, finishing ahead of their city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Having moved to Real Madrid from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009, Karim Benzema has established himself as the club’s primary goal-scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in 2018. Benzema has been the club’s offensive leader since Ronaldo’s departure.
Benzema finished his career at Real Madrid with a record 25 trophies with the club, including five European Cups, four LaLiga crowns, and three Copa del Reys. He finished his career second on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ronaldo, having scored more than 350 goals for Real. Ronaldo is the all-time scoring leader for the club.
“I bid him farewell in the knowledge that I’ve coached one of the greatest players in the world and one of the best strikers,” Ancelotti said. “I wish him well in the knowledge that I’ve coached one of the greatest players in the world.”
“Despite the fact that we cannot be happy about his leaving, we are obligated to accept his decision. Because of all he has done for this club, he has earned the right to make a decision, and we are all grateful to him for that.
In the history of our organization, he will be remembered as a famous and indelible personality who will live on in perpetuity.
Real also confirmed the departures of striker Mariano Diaz, attacking midfielder Marco Asensio, and forward Eden Hazard, leaving Florentino Perez, the club president, with openings in the attack to fill during the offseason.