Karim Benzema’s Real exit ‘surprise to everyone’, says Carlo Ancelotti

Karim Benzema’s option to go away Real Madrid after 14 trophy-laden years was a shock, supervisor Carlo Ancelotti talked about, nonetheless insisted that the Ballon d’Or winner has earned the exact to determine on.

The 35-year-old striker will exit Real as a free agent throughout the shut season, with the Frenchman linked with a big-money switch to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.

“His departure has come as a surprise to everyone, but it has to be understood. It was a last-minute decision,” Ancelotti instructed reporters after Real’s battle in direction of Athletic Bilbao.

“Yesterday, he educated normally, and as we communicate he’s taken this selection. We have accepted it. I spoke to him this morning, and he talked about he was leaving, and I understood.

“He’s thought it through and his decision forms part of the transition of this club, which continues and will continue next year. We have time to reflect on what we have to do. We’ll have a competitive squad next year.”

Benzema netted a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw in direction of Bilbao on Sunday in his remaining LaLiga sport on the Bernabeu, guaranteeing they accomplished second throughout the standings ahead of native rivals Atletico Madrid.

Having joined Real in 2009 from Olympique Lyonnais, Benzema turned the spearhead of the membership’s assault and their foremost goal-scoring menace after Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018.

Benzema scored over 350 targets for Real to sit second on the membership’s all-time scoring document behind Ronaldo and finishes his career on the Spanish capital with a report 25 trophies with the membership, along with 5 European Cups, 4 LaLiga titles and three Copas del Rey’s.

“I bid him farewell in the knowledge that I’ve coached one of the greatest players in the world and one of the best strikers,” Ancelotti talked about.

“We can’t be pleased about his departure, nonetheless now now we have to respect his selection. He’s earned the exact to determine on, and all of us thank him for the whole thing he’s executed for this membership.

“He’s been a legendary, unforgettable figure, and he’ll remain forever in the memory of this club.”

Real moreover launched the departures of forward Eden Hazard, attacking midfielder Marco Asensio and striker Mariano Diaz, leaving holes throughout the assault for membership president Florentino Perez to plug throughout the shut season.