According to Spanish outlets, Real Madrid has reportedly agreed on a contract extension with striker Karim Benzema that will keep the French International at the Spanish capital until June 2022.
The French forward has spent the last decade with Real Madrid, making nearly 500 appearances for the club and scoring 238 goals in the process. The deal will be officially signed in the summer and extends his time with three-time champions of UCL by one year as his current deal expires in 2021.
What is certain is that Benzema has stepped into the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo and assumed the goal-scoring mantle for the side as well as adding greater leadership and maturity to the side. According to the Spanish sports outlet Marca, the contract includes an “improved wage,” and Benzema will officially put pen to paper next summer.
The former Lyon striker has 16 goals in 23 appearances this season and has only failed to score 20 goals or more in three campaigns out of 11. The French striker has just turned 32 and in June 2022 when the new contract ends, he will be 34.
At the minute, Benzema doesn’t want to pen any long contracts with the club and would rather take things in small increments so he isn’t in a position where he is in Madrid but can’t give his best. The club acknowledges Benzema’s value to the team and still believe he has a lot to give in the coming years – he is currently second in the La Liga top scorers list with 12, behind only Lionel Messi.
It is presumed that the relationship between Benzema and the club is exceptional, with president Florentino Perez being a great admirer of the No.9, which was key to the new deal being agreed. Benzema remains the club’s most important attacker in a glittering squad that also contains Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Luka Jovic and Brazilian starlets Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Benzema’s status as the team’s third captain, its attacking spearhead and his untouchable role under Zidane suggest the striker will remain at Madrid at least as long as his mentor does and while his position remains unaltered. It remains interesting to see that can Benzema win the UCL title for Real Madrid once again?
