Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid on top

Karim Benzema played his last game for Real Madrid today. A game in which he scored the equalizing goal, his 354th and last goal for the club. The game wasn’t important despite the draw, Real finished above rivals Atletico but failed to win the league. However the exit was special, as he recieved a standing ovation as he left the pitch. He was honored by a fanbase which once questioned and booed him. He wasn’t expected to be this big of a legend when he arrived in 2009 but now he leaves as one of the greatest players in Real’s histpry.

When he transferred in 2009 he was supposed to be the number 9 to compliment Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. His first year and a half was full of controversy, as he dealt with poor form and being a backup to Gonzalo Higuain. After Higuain’s back injury, Benzema took over the starting duties and became a star. He scored 26 goals in 2010/11 and 32 goals in 2011/12 winning the Copa Del Rey and La Liga in those two seasons. After a down season in 2012/13 one of Benzema and Higuain had to be sold as they were too good to be a backup striker. Higuain was sold to Napoli and Benzema stayed. Benzema was part of a great attacking trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and helped Real win their first Champions League in 12 years in the 2013/14 season. Real Madrid the next four seasons would be incredible as the club won 3 Champions Leagues, 1 La liga title, 3 Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups and 1 Spanish Super Cup during this time period. Benzema despire scoring a lot of goals and having some legendary plays like his great dribble versus Atletico in 2017 to set up Isco’s goal, he was criticized heavily for missing chances. Benzema in 2017/18 scored in the Champions League final but he only scored 12 goals that season. it semmed like his days at Real were coming to an end. But Cristino Ronaldo left the club in 2018 and Benzema stayed and carried the club for the next five years.

Karim, Benzema scored 30 goals and helped Real Madrid qualify for the Champions League and win the Club World Cup in 2018/19. The 2019/20 season he scored 27 goals and led Real Madrid to a La Liga title. In 2020/21 despite his 30 goals, Real failed to win a trophy. In 2021/22 it was his best season scoring 44 goals and had 15 assists leading Real to win the Spanish Supercup, La Liga, and the Champions League title. He scored 15 goals in the Champions League, scoring the winning goal against the PSG, Chelsea, and City to help Real reach the final. In 2022 he won the Balon d’Or which is the award for the best player in the world for that year. His final season at Real Madrid he scored 31 goals and helped Real Madrid win the European Super Cup, Club World Cup and the Copa Del Rey as the captain of the club. He did score a hat-trick in his final clasico against Barcelona in an iconic 4-0 win that helped Real Madrid reach the Copa del Rey final. He leaves with a legacy of winning and being a part of a great team. He was always a team player and when he needed to step up he did just that. He now leaves Real Madrid on his terms and on top. There aren’t many Real legends that had a more dignified exit, left the club on good terms and scoring in his final game for Real. Thanks to Karim Benzema for all your contributions for Real Madrid.

Karim Benzema’s achievements:

He scored 354 goals for Real Madrid which is the second-most in Real’s history

He has the most assists in Real Madrid’s history

25 titles won tied with the most in club history

4 La Liga titles

3 Copa del Rey titles

4 Spanish Supercups

5 UEFA Champions Legue titles

4 UEFA Super Cups

5 FIFA Club World Cups