Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, has responded to reports of Karim Benzema's departure from the club after spending 14 years there, amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
The French footballer marked his final match for the club on the last day of the 2022/2023 La Liga season by scoring a goal. Benzema converted a penalty in the match against Athletic Club, equalizing the score to 1-1 after Madrid defender Eder Militao was fouled inside the box. Shortly after scoring, the French forward was substituted off the field and received a standing ovation from the fans. This goal brought his tally to 354 goals for Madrid.
In a conversation with reporters after the match, Ancelotti revealed that Benzema's decision to leave came as a "surprise" as the player shared his intentions regarding his future at the club on Sunday morning, just hours before the final match of the season.
Ancelotti stated:
"His departure was unexpected for everyone, but it is something we have to understand. It was a last-minute decision. He trained as usual yesterday, and today he made this decision.
"We understand his choice. I spoke to him this morning, and he informed me that he was leaving. I understood his reasons. He has performed exceptionally well under my guidance for the past four years, as well as for the club overall. I am sincerely grateful to him for that.
"He has thought about it thoroughly, and his decision is part of the club's transition, which will continue into the next year. We have time to consider what we need to do. We will have a competitive squad next year.
"As I bid him farewell, I acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to coach one of the world's best players and one of the finest forwards. He is a kind, humble, and dedicated individual.
"We cannot be happy about his departure, but we must respect his decision. He has earned the right to choose, and we all express our gratitude for what he has achieved at this club. His contributions have been legendary, unforgettable, and will forever remain in the memory of this club."
Benzema, the current Ballon d'Or holder and UEFA Player of the Year, joined Real Madrid from Lyon in July 2009 for a reported fee of 35 million euros. He has been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
Real Madrid will now focus on securing a replacement for Benzema, who is reportedly on the verge of completing a big-money transfer to Saudi Arabia. Players like Tottenham