JABAR EKSPRES – Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has expressed his sadness after it was confirmed that team captain Karim Benzema has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
Benzema ended his 14-year journey with Los Blancos after failing to reach an agreement on a contract renewal, which was due to expire in June 2023.
“We have to be very grateful to Karim Benzema, for his career and the trophies he has won with the club,” Thibaut Courtois said as quoted by the club’s official website on Monday (6/5).
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Signed from Lyon in 2009, Benzema became the player who presented the most trophies to Real Madrid with a total of 25 trophies.
Benzema’s 25 trophies for Real Madrid include five Champions League, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four La Liga, three Spanish King Cups and four Spanish Super Cups.
“It’s a pleasure to play with Benzema. He’s a very good player and a club legend. It’s a shame he’s leaving, but we understand. He has the right to decide his future. I hope it goes well for him and his family,” said Courtois.
Benzema is also the second-highest scorer in the club’s history with 354 goals, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo who scored 450 goals for Real Madrid.
Benzema is fifth as a player who appeared with Real Madrid with a record 648 appearances. The Frenchman is also the highest assists scorer in the club’s history with 165 assists.
On June 6, Real Madrid will hold a ceremony to honor Benzema, a club legend, at Real Madrid Sport City in Madrid.
The 2022 Ballon D’or winner is sure to be one step away from playing in the Arab League following former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Arabia in the January transfer window.
