Karim Benzema, who finishes his contract with Real Madrid at the end of this season, said after winning the Ballon d’Or that he intends to retire from football with Los Blancos.
The Frenchman has been one of the elite strikers in Europe for many years and now he has been rewarded with the greatest individual accolade that there is.
Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas win Ballon d’Or awards
He was asked after getting the award if he will end his career with Real Madrid.
“Yes, there are no other options,” was Benzema‘s answer on when speaking with Onda Cero.
“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.”
How much did Real Madrid pay for Benzema in 2009?
Benzema was one of the three Galacticos who Florentino Perez signed when he returned to the presidency in 2009, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
The president even visited the player personally to try to convince him to move to Spain.
“You will be the best in the world and the place to achieve that is Real Madrid,” Perez told him.
And so, for 36 million euros, the club acquired the striker from Lyon and he has been with Real Madrid for 13 years and is the second highest scorer in the history of the club, only surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo (451 goals).
Benzema rules out the Lyon option
By stating that he plans to retire at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Benzema has poured cold water on the rumours of a possible return to his boyhood club Lyon.
It remains to be seen exactly when he will retire, though. His current deal expires in 2023, when he’ll be 35 years of age, but it is expected that he’ll sign a new deal and continue leading the line for Los Blancos.
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