Karim Benzema has asked a Real Madrid physio to join him in Saudi Arabia should he choose to leave Spain this summer, and figures within the club’s coaching staff are expecting him to leave.
Benzema is believed to have discussed moving to Saudi Arabia with the physio during the past few months.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Benzema has a big offer from Saudi Arabia and that Real Madrid have known his decision about the proposal for several days.
In a further development on Wednesday, several Valdebebas sources told The Athletic that manager Carlo Ancelotti and Benzema held a meeting at the club’s training ground. Such a meeting was considered unusual and not part of the team’s usual training schedule.
These sources each told The Athletic they expect Benzema to leave unless the board could change his mind.
Madrid are understanding of Benzema’s situation and will not stand in his way if he were to decide to go, despite the fact he renewed his contract until June 2024 earlier this year.
Benzema’s team-mates have known for a couple of weeks that the Frenchman is considering taking up the offer with a Saudi Pro side.
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The 35-year-old, who won the Ballon d’Or award in 2022, has been playing at Real since joining from Lyon for an initial £30million fee in July 2009.
The Frenchman has gone on to have a very successful career in Spain, winning four league (La Liga) titles and the Champions League five times during his 14-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo on Real Madrid’s all-time scoring list, with 353 goals from 647 appearances.
Real manager Ancelotti has spoken on numerous occasions of his desire to retain Benzema. This season he has scored 30 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions despite suffering from muscular problems during periods of the campaign.
Real Madrid’s final match of the 2022-23 season is at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
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