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Real Madrid Announces Departure of Ballon d'Or Winner Karim Benzema

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - French footballer Karim Benzema, a 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, the football club said Sunday.
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"Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close. Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to the player who is already one of our greatest legends," the club said.

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A farewell ceremony, which will be attended by the club's president, Florentino Perez, is scheduled to take place on June 6 at 12:00 p.m. local time (10:00 GMT), at Real Madrid Sport City.
"Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future," Real Madrid said.
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Media reported that on May 31, Saudi Al-Ittihad football club had offered Benzema a two-year contract worth a total of 200 million euros ($214 million).
Benzema has been a striker for Real Madrid since 2009, winning 24 trophies with the club, including four La Liga, three Copa del Rey and five UEFA Champions League titles.
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