Karim Benzema has broken his silence after being heavily tipped to leave Real Madrid in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia which would see him earn an eye-watering £345million.
Multiple reports claim that the French striker has decided to quit the Bernabeu after 14 years and jet off to the Middle East for a mammoth payday. Benzema, 35, was on Thursday asked to discuss the speculation and is quoted as replying: "Speak about what? Why speaking of the future if I'm in Madrid... Who's speaking is internet, and reality is not internet."
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner went on to confirm: "At the moment, I'm here… we have a game on Sunday. I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I'm on the pitch. I give my best for them, always. I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with crucial factor, Real Madrid fans."
Benzema renewed his contract with Los Blancos earlier this year, agreeing a deal which would see him remain in the Spanish capital until 2024. But after formally receiving a lucrative two-year offer from an unnamed Saudi club on Tuesday, the Athletic report that Benzema informed Real officials of his decision to wave goodbye after this Sunday's game at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Those close to the situation now expect the 35-year-old to end his trophy-laden Los Blancos career this week unless the club's board can convince him to change his mind at the eleventh hour. It's added that team-mates have been aware of Benzema being tempted by a proposal from the Middle East for several weeks, while he's also asked one of Real's physios to join him there.
The France international has won an incredible 24 trophies since joining the LaLiga giants from Lyon in 2009 for an initial £30m. Those include five Champions League titles, the most recent of which came last season, with Benzema's 15 goals playing an instrumental role in Real's successful European campaign and leading to him winning his first Ballon d'Or award last November.
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Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti recently explained why his superiors should be looking to sign a new striker, regardless of Benzema's departure date. "The project for the future for the club is to sign a No. 9, because Karim is the age he is," Ancelotti declared in May.
"But Karim is doing very well up until now and while he is in good condition, it's working very well. It's true that Karim has had his up and downs, but Rodrygo has progressed, [Marco] Asensio has progressed. But it's also true to say that in the last two years, the problem has not been the forwards."
