Karim Benzema makes final decision on joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

Karim Benzema makes final decision on joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 11:56 - 20.04.2023

Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has made a decision on his Real Madrid future amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Middle East.

Karim Benzema has agreed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2024 putting to rest, weeks of speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Benzema delays Real Madrid exit

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ng/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

Benzema, 35, recently turned down a lucrative opportunity to join former teammate and friend, Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, instead opting to stay in Europe for at least one more season. 

However, nothing is ruled out regarding a future move to team up with Ronaldo in the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in acrimonious circumstances to complete a mouthwatering move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January, where he currently earns £173million per year.

Benzema to continue Madrid legacy

Benzema has assumed the role of star man at the Bernabeu since Ronaldo left in 2019, The Frenchman was especially prolific last season as he contributed a remarkable 44 goals across all competitions with 15 of those coming in their triumphant Champions League run. 

Despite struggling with injuries for a large part of the first half of this season, the 35-year-old has still managed to produce at high levels, contributing an impressive 25 goals so far.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Benzema is set to put pen to paper on a one-year extension, after which it is expected he will call time on a glittering Real Madrid career.

While it looks like Real have relinquished their LaLiga crown to Barcelona this season, Los Blancos still have a chance of retaining the Champions League but must go through Pep Guardioa's Man City side to do so. 

Whatever chances they have of winning the trophy again will rest on the shoulders of their top goalscorer, Benzema, who will once again look to propel Carlo Ancelotti's men to even more success.

Related content