Karim Benzema said goodbye to Real Madrid this afternoon in an act attended by family, friends and members of different Real Madrid groups. The Frenchman announced yesterday that he is leaving Real Madrid after 14 seasons and his destiny seems to be Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia. The forward assured that he had "a dream in his head, to sign for Madrid and end up in Madrid, but in life sometimes there are other opportunities", he summed up.
“It is difficult to speak with many emotions. Many thanks to Madrid. It was a good path in my life. This was my dream as a child. Thanks to the president, who went to my house with my parents. He was the man who had brought Zizou and Ronaldo and he wanted me on his team. You can't say no to Madrid, but I think today is the time to go and see another story. But the most important thing is that I have won everything and that was my dream since I was a child. As I said fourteen years ago: One two three, hala Madrid”, exclaimed the Frenchman.
Benzema said goodbye sadly. "It hurts me. He had a dream in his head, to sign for Madrid and end up in Madrid, but in life there are sometimes other opportunities. I will always continue to be from Madrid ”, he explained.
Florentino Pérez, for his part, fired his fetish player for many years. "It's a very difficult day for me," he said. “Memories and emotions come to me from 14 years ago. There began one of the most exciting stages in our history. Since the announcement of Karim's farewell, I have experienced a lot of sadness among the fans, ”he assured.
“14 years ago you arrived at Real Madrid –he addressed the Frenchman- and you have become one of the best strikers of all time. We have been extremely fortunate to see you. We have seen you do incredible things and that is something that we will not forget. We are proud, you are one of the great symbols and one of the great legends of the club. You have been part of a legendary team. You have managed to excite those of us who love football. Some were slow to understand you. You have achieved it with your magic and talent and with the values of Real Madrid. Here you have overcome many adversities and obstacles and the weight of the greatest team in the world. No one has won more titles than you at Madrid (25). You have achieved everything with spectacular football. Like last year, a year that will remain in everyone's memory. You led this team when no one believed in us."
“You are the current Ballon d'Or and top scorer in that Champions League. Today you end your stage at Real Madrid. Today one of the most incredible players in our history leaves, the fifth with the most games played. The second goalscorer in the history of Madrid. Thank you for this football love story that we have lived together and that, without a doubt, is eternal ”, he concluded.
