La Liga champions Real Madrid have reportedly agreed to a new contract with talismanic striker and captain Karim Benzema.
According to a report by 90min, Karim Benzema will remain at Real Madrid beyond the ongoing season. The reigning La Liga champions have agreed to a contract extension with the French striker. And they should make an official statement on the renewal in the coming weeks.
Karim Benzema has created a lasting legacy since joining Real Madrid as a prodigious 21-year-old striker. The 35-year-old was already the talk of the town after taking French football by storm. And apart from a couple of sub-par campaigns, he has been a phenomenal performer for Real Madrid.
The veteran striker was the perfect foil for all-time top Real Madrid scorer Cristiano Ronaldo during the heydays of the famed ‘BBC’ trio. But he has come into his own since the departure of Ronaldo, often scoring goals at will. And after going from strength to strength, Benzema reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the Ballon d’Or award last year.
The French attacker has led by example at Real Madrid in the last half a decade. And he has been the Real Madrid captain since the departure of Marcelo last summer. Meanwhile, despite a few fitness issues, Benzema’s levels remain high, as he has amassed 19 goals and five assists in 28 appearances thus far.
But the veteran striker is in the final months of his contract and approaching the end of his deal. That had left Real Madrid in a spot of bother as they looked to secure Benzema’s future for another year. In the meantime, the Merengues have been scouring the market for a striker amid Benzema’s fitness issues.
Several players, including Harry Kane, have popped up on Real Madrid’s radar. But Los Blancos’ priority has always been to stick with Benzema as the first-choice striker for another year. And that is exactly what will happen, with the two parties agreeing to a contract extension.
The 19-goal striker will pen the renewal in the coming weeks before the reigning La Liga champions officiate the extension. But it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid will still be in the market for a striker.