Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has revealed his intention to retire as a player at the Bernabeu and there is “no other option.
The 34-year-old earned his first Ballon d’Or award for 2022 on Monday in Paris after leading Los Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
Benzema has 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions last season, and he has started the 2022-23 season with five goals in 10 games despite a muscle problem.
Following Real Madrid’s unsuccessful summer pursuits of Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, Benzema began another season as the club’s first-choice striker, 13 years after signing from Lyon.
The France international is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season, but he is largely anticipated to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu, having recently extended his terms until 2021.
Speaking to Onda Cero after winning the Ballon d’Or, Benzema confirmed that he wanted to hang up his boots in Madrid, saying: “Yes, there are no other options,” as quoted by Marca.
Karim Benzema announces: “I will retire in Real Madrid. There’s no other option for me”, he said to Onda Cero right after the Ballon d’Or ceremony. 🚨⚪️ #Benzema pic.twitter.com/PzV6ub4z2d
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 18, 2022
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“For me it was a dream to sign with Real Madrid. I had three dreams, to buy a house for my mother, to play for Real Madrid and to have a Ballon d’Or.
“The promises to my mother have been kept, that’s why I’m very proud. I still have ambitions, I would like to win the World Cup with the French team. It’s a goal: to go to the World Cup and do everything to win it.”
Benzema is sixth on Real Madrid’s all-time appearance list, still a long way from reaching Raul’s record of 741, and his 450 goals are second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s.
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