Benzema admits Madrid departure ‘hurts’ ahead of Saudi switch

The 35-year-old forward has reportedly signed for the Jeddah-based side on a three-year deal starting next season.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid is thrown in the air by teammates following the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on June 04, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Karim Benzema said leaving Real Madrid “hurts” at a goodbye ceremony Tuesday ahead of his move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.

The 35-year-old forward has signed for the Jeddah-based side on a three-year deal starting next season, a source at the Saudi club told  AFP on Tuesday.

“It’s a bit of a sad day because I am leaving this club, it hurts me, because I had a dream in my head - to sign for Madrid and finish at Madrid, but sometimes life gives you other opportunities,” said Benzema in a speech during his farewell at Madrid’s training ground.

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema claps to supporters after the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sunday, June 4, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP

“I will always watch Madrid’s games, and thanks to the fans too, who pushed me on to play good games.”

The French forward signed for Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Benzema made 648 appearances for Madrid and is second on Real’s all-time goalscoring list with 354 -- only Ronaldo has more.

He won five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey and is the current Ballon d’Or holder.

Benzema said he was grateful to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for signing him.

“When I saw you, I said this is the man who brought Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) and Ronaldo, now he wants me in his team,” said Benzema.

“I will never forget Real Madrid, it’s the best club in the world, in history, but now is the moment to leave and to see another story.”

Perez thanked Benzema for his efforts over the past 14 years.

“Today it’s not just another player going, today we’re saying goodbye to one of the most incredible players in our history,” said the president.

“Thank you for all you have given us, you arrived here as a boy and today, you leave as one of our legends.”

The striker did not mention where he would play next season, but a source at Al-Ittihad told  AFP earlier Tuesday that Benzema had “signed a contract for his transfer for a three-year period”.

If the move is confirmed, Benzema will join his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom after the five-time world player of the year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following last year’s World Cup.

Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.