Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema has declared that saying goodbye ‘really hurts’ as he departs the Spanish giants for a staggering £258 million salary in Saudi Arabia.
This summer, the French striker departs from the Spanish powerhouses to sign a three-year, £258 million deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, who departs the Bernabeu with four La Liga championships, five Champions League crowns, and five Club World Cup medals, was honoured at a goodbye ceremony on Tuesday morning, June 6, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez presided over the event.
During the event, Karim Benzema said: “It really hurts, it’s not easy, I really wanted to retire here, but sometimes directions change.
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“I’ll always be watching Real Madrid games and I will always support Real Madrid, the best club in the world. Real Madrid will always be my family.”
The French man closed off his farewell speech by saying: “As I said the first day, 1, 2, 3…Hala Madrid!”
Perez added: “Dear Karim, 14 years ago you arrived at Real Madrid and you have become one of the best players of all time. You are one of the symbols of this club, one of our greatest legends.
“You have managed to move all of us who love football. You are a different footballer and it is true that some took time to understand you.
“Today is a very difficult day for me. Some took a while to understand you, but you were always a different player. Benzema leaves Real Madrid with the love of the whole world. You are one of the chosen ones.”
Karim Benzema’s new club, Al-Ittihad, is led by Nuno Espirito Santo, the former Wolves and Tottenham manager, and finished five points ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi title fight this season.