on Thursday morning, Karim Benzema He was a foot away from Real but Marca took the situation into their own hands and turned things upside down. In the afternoon he presented him with the Leyenda Prize and in the evening he claimed in an exclusive report that he would stay for another year.

Spanish media report that the 35-year-old centre-forward will sign an option to extend his current contract with the Merengues for a season and leave the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024.

Marca add that the French footballer feels his circle has not come full circle in the team and that he wants to win more collective and individual trophies.

At the same time, he is not closing the door on Saudi Arabia and Al Ittihad, which he is expected to join when he leaves Spain.

THE Karim Benzema tried to downplay the tone after apparently telling Real that he will join Al Ittihad in the summer.

The French superstar was presented with the ‘Leyenda’ by Marca on Thursday, an award given to top athletes by the Spanish media, and opened up about his future on the sidelines of the event.

“Why do I have to talk about the future? I’m with Real. The reality is different, not what is said on the internet. I’m very proud of my job. I enjoyed every moment at Real. Going to Valdebebas for training is not working. In my mind I enjoyed Real Madrid. Yesterday, today, tomorrow in training.” answered a related question.

Accepting the award, first presented by Michael Jordan in 1997, followed by Pelé, Rafa Nadal, Michael Phelps, Sergey Bubka and others, with Ronaldinho honored last months ago, the 35-year-old Frenchman responded to similar questions: “I have a game on Saturday, I’ll train tomorrow, so at the moment I’m at Real”.

However, Benzema’s cycle at the club appears to have ended after 24 trophies, 456 goals and 212 assists as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad await him with a nine-figure two-year offer.

THE Karim Benzema On Sunday, on his 38th match day, he will be playing in a Real jersey for the last time la leagueas he himself indicated.

The 35-year-old Frenchman posted a farewell Instagram story by ESPN journalist Julien Laurent, in which his compatriot idolized him.

“The goals, the trophies, the style, the legacy: one of the greatest,” Laurent wrote, tagging Benzema, who didn’t hesitate to repost it on a very special day.

According to international media, Benzema had a crisis meeting with Carlo Ancelotti where he informed him of his intention to leave the club.

His target is expected to be Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad, offering him €200,000,000 over two years to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr awe.

Divorce announcements are expected in the coming days, in a marriage that since 2009 has resulted in 24 trophies, 353 goals in 647 appearances and the 2022 Ballon d’Or, among others, and his move from Lyon to Real for just 35,000,000.