At the end of his contract on June 30, 2023 with Real Madrid, Karim Benzema left to extend for one season. However, the 37-year-old French striker finally decided to slam the door of the Santiago Bernabeu. Indeed, Karim Benzema signed freely and for free in favor of Al Ittihad. To replace his former captain and number 9, Carlo Ancelotti wanted to recruit Harry Kane, but his management did not take his request seriously.
During the summer of 2009, the Real Madrid spent around €35M to snatch Karim Benzema at theOL. After 14 seasons of good and loyal service to the White Housethe 37-year-old striker has decided to take off. And yet, Karim Benzema had left to extend. At the end of his contract on June 30, 2023, the former French international signed freely and for free at Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Ancelotti wanted to replace Benzema with Kane
When he said goodbye to Real MadridKarim Benzema explained his choice to join Al Ittihad. “It's difficult to speak with so much emotion, but I want to say thank you to Real Madrid and to my teammates. It was a great journey in my life. I had the chance to fulfill my childhood dream. I will never forget Real Madrid. It's impossible, it's the best club in history. But I think it's time to leave and experience another story. Thanks to Real Madrid. I want to thank the president. When I saw you, I said to myself “this is the man who recruited Ronaldo and Zidane”. It's incredible. But it's time to leave and experience something else. The most important thing for me is how much I gained and how I enjoyed those years as a kid. As I said during my presentation: “one, two, three, Hala Madrid!”. I also want to thank Carlo Ancelotti, who had faith in me from the start. I learned a lot from you. It's a bit sad day because I'm going to leave my club. I signed for Real Madrid because I wanted to retire here, but life offers you other opportunities. It's a difficult decision, made with my family. I will always be for Real Madrid”declared the Ballon d’Or 2022.
Mercato: Real ignores Ancelotti's demands
According to information from The Athletic, Carlo Ancelotti wanted to replace Karim Benzema par Harry Kane during the summer of 2023. However, the board of directors of the Real Madrid never launched hostilities for the former scorer of Tottenham. According to the British media, the White House rarely takes into account requests for Carlo Ancelotti for the transfer window. WhileHarry Kane finally joined the Bayernthe coach of Real Madrid had to be content with the recruitment of Joselubefore Kylian Mbappé arrives on July 1, 2024 from PSG.
