LaLiga took to their official Instagram handle to pay tribute to Karim Benzema after Real Madrid confirmed his exit.
In the post that was shared on Spanish LaLiga Instagram handle showed Benzema lifting his Ballon d’Or award at Santiago Bernabeu.
LaLiga tagged the post: “What a journey… KARIM D’OR.✨”
Real Madrid recently confirmed that Karim Benzema would leave the club this summer after spending 14 years in the Spanish capital.
Madrid’s match against LaLiga side Athletic Club on Sunday was the Frenchman’s final appearance in the famous white jersey.
Benzema won 25 trophies in his time at Real Madrid after he established himself as one of the most successful players in the club’s esteemed history.
Real Madrid is set to hold an institutional act of homage and farewell to Benzema, with Florentino Perez to be present to pay tribute to the 35-year-old as he departs LaLiga.
Benzema is expected to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad after he was offered a mammoth contract offer from the club earlier this week.
However, there was a lot of sadness from the Madridistas that he is leaving Real Madrid and also the Spanish LaLiga.
Karim Benzema scored and moments later received a standing ovation in what was his final Real Madrid game in LaLiga.
The goal from Benzema which was his last for the club, was his 18th goal against Athletic.
Benzema spent 14 years at the LaLiga side and made 647 appearances, and now looks set to join Ronaldo in the Middle East.
Karim Benzema
Karim Mostafa Benzema is a French footballer who was born on 19 December 1987 and played as a striker for Real Madrid and captains the LaLiga club.
Big Benz as he is fondly called, is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. He is a creative forward renowned for his goal-scoring ability, as well as his technical skills, vision, and versatility on the field.
Benzema is currently Real Madrid’s all-time second-highest goalscorer and top assist provider.
The Frenchman has won 25 trophies with Real Madrid which includes four La Liga, three Copa del Rey and five UEFA Champions League titles.
Benzema’s Next Destination After LaLiga
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Karim Benzema has signed the main documents to become a new player of Al Ittihad.
Romano took to his Twitter account to share the news coming from the Saudi Arabian side. He wrote: “Karim Benzema has signed main part of docs to become new Al Ittihad player joining the Saudi league — here we go!”
“Understand contract will be valid until 2025 but will also include option for further season.”
“Karim will say goodbye to Madrid fans then travel to Saudi.”
Aside from Harry Kane, there are also about nine different attackers that could line up for the replacement of Benzema at Madrid.
They include: Erling Haaland, Victor Osimhen, Marcus Rashford, Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Kai Havertz, Kolo Randal Muani, and former star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema at Real Madrid
Benzema is currently second on the all-time scoring list for Madrid and fourth on all-time UEFA Champions League charts, with former team-mate Ronaldo topping both podiums.
Benzema has scored 354 goals in 648 total appearances for Real Madrid since he arrived from Lyon in 2009.
| Season | Games | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 43 | 31 |
| 2021-22 | 46 | 44 |
| 2020-21 | 46 | 30 |
| 2019-20 | 48 | 27 |
| 2018-19 | 53 | 30 |
| 2017-18 | 47 | 12 |
| 2016-17 | 48 | 19 |
| 2015-16 | 36 | 28 |
| 2014-15 | 46 | 22 |
| 2013-14 | 52 | 24 |
| 2012-13 | 50 | 20 |
| 2011-12 | 52 | 32 |
| 2010-11 | 48 | 26 |
| 2009-10 | 33 | 9 |
| Total | 648 | 354 |
Karim equaled Marcelo’s number of trophies won at Real Madrid (25) after the Los Blancos won the 2022/23 Copa Del Rey.
Karim Benzema’s trophies:
- 4 x Spanish LaLiga
- 3 x Copa del Rey
- 4 x Spanish Super Cup
- 5 x Champions League
- 4 x UEFA Super Cup
- 5 x Club World Cup
