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Tag: Benzema

  • Karim Benzema reveals Real Madrid return plans

    Karim Benzema reveals Real Madrid return plans

    Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema admits he’s keen on a return to Real Madrid once he hangs up his boots.

    The Ballon d’Or winner has hinted he’d like a front office role at Real Madrid.

    Benzema told Los amigos de Edu: “The other day I was with Florentino (Perez, president) in Madrid. When he signed me I told my father that as long as he was at Real Madrid, I would be there.

    “He was the first person I called when I decided I was leaving. He didn’t quite understand… I told him that the youngsters, Vinicius and Rodrygo, were ready.”

    He also said, “When I retire I want to be close to football. Coach? I don’t know, it seems more complicated than being a player. I want to be close to Florentino when I retire.”

  • Al-Ittihad confirm Benzema’s Real Madrid return

    Al-Ittihad confirm Benzema’s Real Madrid return

    Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid this week.

    The Frenchman is to have an injury treated by Real Madrid medical staff.

    Benzema left Real last summer for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.

    His club confirmed: “Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid to undergo medical tests relating to the injury suffered this season, in coordination between the Al Ittihad medical team and Real Madrid.”

    Al-Ittihad are eager for Benzema’s return as they to try to secure third place in the league to qualify for next season’s Asian Champions League.

    With five matches to go, the team is fifth, two points behind Al Ahli, who occupy fourth and have a game to recover.

  • Chelsea explore signing Benzema, Firmino

    Chelsea explore signing Benzema, Firmino

    Premier League club Chelsea are exploring the idea of signing a Saudi Pro League striker this month.

    The Telegraph says Chelsea have Al-Ittihad centre-forward Karim Benzema and Al-Ahli’s Roberto Firmino on their radar. The Blues will seek to sign one of the two to ease the pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino.

    Pochettino has expressed concern over his lack of attacking options, with Christopher Nkunku continuing to battle with injury.

    Former Liverpool striker Firmino is unsettled at Al Ahli after battling for consistency in the SPL.

    Meanwhile, Benzema’s future with Al-Ittihad is in doubt after struggling to get along with management since his summer arrival from Real Madrid.

    Tribalfootball

  • Benzema fever hits Jeddah ahead of Al-Ittihad presentation

    Benzema fever hits Jeddah ahead of Al-Ittihad presentation

    Saudi champions Al-Ittihad sold more than 56,000 tickets for Karim Benzema’s presentation at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in only a few hours after sales were announced on Wednesday.

    The France striker and Ballon d’Or winner signed a three-season contract with the Saudi Pro League club on Tuesday for a total of 165 million dollars, according to local media.

    Tickets for Thursday’s presentation of the former Real Madrid captain later at the 62,000-seat arena, known locally as ‘The Shining Jewel,’ started from just nine riyals (2.40 dollars).

    A large number of supporters wearing the club’s yellow and black colours greeted Benzema upon his arrival in the city on Wednesday night and he is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday before being presented to the fans.

    Benzema, 35, was Al-Ittihad’s first signing since winning the league title for the first time since 2009 with compatriot N’Golo Kante expected to join him from Chelsea soon.

    Cristiano Ronaldo blazed the trail in the Saudi Pro League by signing a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr in December.

    Saudi clubs are targeting other big names in the coming months with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Angel Di Maria, Jordi Alba and Sergio Ramos being linked with moves to the desert kingdom in local media.

    A source close to Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, last month told Reuters that he had received a formal offer to join Al-Hilal but the 35-year-old World Cup winner decided to join Inter Miami in the United States instead. 

  • Benzema’s exit surprised me – Real Madrid coach, Ancelotti

    Benzema’s exit surprised me – Real Madrid coach, Ancelotti

    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admits Karim Benzema’s decision to leave took him by surprise.

    Benzema’s decision was announced prior to Sunday’s final-day draw against Athletic Bilbao. Benzema signed off from the Bernabeu with a successful penalty.

    Ancelotti said: “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. He’s a very kind, humble, and earnest person. We can’t be pleased about his departure, but we have to respect his decision. He’s earned the right to choose and we all thank him for everything he’s done for this club. He’s been a legendary, unforgettable figure, and he’ll remain forever in the memory of this club.

    “His departure has come as a surprise to everyone, but it has to be understood. It was a last-minute decision. Yesterday he trained normally and today he’s taken this decision. We have accepted it. I spoke to him this morning and he said he was leaving and I understood. He’s done so well with me in these four years and also at the club. That’s why I want to thank him. 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.

    “The club is going to prepare a celebration for him in the next few days and we have to take into account his personality, because he’s very shy. Today this was a response of such a character. He doesn’t like the spotlight. He preferred to say goodbye on the pitch and it was a farewell to a great player and a true legend.”

  • Copa del Rey: Benzema hat-trick against Barca fires Real Madrid into final

    Copa del Rey: Benzema hat-trick against Barca fires Real Madrid into final

    Real Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014 on Wednesday night in Barcelona.

    A Karim Benzema hat-trick and a Vinicius Junior strike earned a 4-0 Clasico victory over FC Barcelona at Camp Nou and a 4-1 triumph on aggregate.

    Eder Militao’s own goal at the Bernabeu had Barca heading into Wednesday’s second leg with a 1-0 advantage.

    But Vinicius’ goal in first-half added time got Real Madrid back into the tie.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s men then took over after the break, Benzema putting them ahead with a sublime finish before coolly converting from the penalty kick spot after Vinicius was felled.

    The reigning Ballon d’Or winner clinched his hat-trick late on to dump the 31-time winners out and set Real Madrid up to meet Osasuna in the showpiece match on May 6.

    Barca started brightly with Sergi Roberto and Raphinha seeing early efforts foiled, though alert defending was needed by Ronald Araujo at the other end to deny Vinicius.

    Tempers were starting to fray in a typically high-charged encounter, Xavi booked for dissent before Gavi and Vinicius were cautioned for a fracas in midfield.

    The visitors remained focused, though, to level the tie just before half-time.

    After Courtois made a superb stop to deny Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid flew up the other end.

    Even though Jules Kounde initially blocked Vinicius’ shot, it crept over the line to make it 1-1 on aggregate.

    Ancelotti’s side took the lead shortly after the break, Luka Modric teeing up Benzema to expertly stroke into the bottom-left corner.

    Real Madrid then landed a killer-blow shortly after, Franck Kessie bringing Vinicius down in the box for a penalty kick before Benzema stepped up and ruthlessly slotted into the bottom-right corner.

    Benzema sealed his hat-trick with 10 minutes to play, delicately dinking over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to send his team cruising into the final.

  • Liverpool fans give Modric, Benzema standing ovations after defeat

    Liverpool fans give Modric, Benzema standing ovations after defeat

    Liverpool fans gave Real Madrid veterans Luka Modric and Karim Benzema standing ovations at the end of last night’s Champions League defeat.

    The pair were outstanding in Real’s 5-2 win at Anfield.

    According to Tribaltfootball, 87 minutes into the game, Carlo Ancelotti decided to replace Modric and Benzema and the ovation from Madrid’s supporters was joined by the applause of the local fans themselves.

    Before the game the English club honoured the late Amancio Amaro by placing a wreath next to the visiting fans; during the game, Modric became master of the midfield, dominating every instance at will.

    In addition, his assist as soon as the second half began changed the game and the movement of Éder Militao from a set piece was excellent. For his part, Benzema’s numbers speak for themselves: two goals and an assist in 87 minutes for the current Real Madrid captain.

     

  • Courtois, Benzema to miss Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final game

    Courtois, Benzema to miss Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final game

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache for the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final with Egypt’s Al Ahly on Wednesday.

    This is because he will be missing several key players due to injuries.

    Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Karim Benzema and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy will not make the trip to Morocco on Monday.

    But the first three may be available for places in a possible final match on Saturday if Real Madrid advance.

    Vazquez and Mendy have been out for several games with long-term injuries.

    But Benzema and Militao, who were substituted with leg injuries in Real Madrid’s LaLiga win against Valencia on Thursday, are not expected to be sidelined for too long.

    Courtois, who suffered a groin injury during the warm-up for Sunday’s surprise defeat at Real Mallorca, does not have a long-term problem going by medical examinations on Monday.

    Courtois, Benzema and Militao will stay in Madrid for treatment but are expected to join their team mates in Rabat later in the week if their treatment goes as planned.

    Real Madrid are struggling lately, having won only one of their last three LaLiga matches, allowing FC Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the standings to eight points.

    They have to worry about all the injuries and a packed schedule over the next few weeks.

    The FIFA Club World Cup is quickly followed by a UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool and Copa del Rey showdown against FC Barcelona, as well as LaLiga matches.

    But coach Carlo Ancelotti says they will go for glory on all fronts.

    However, the Italian did urge the authorities to look at fixture scheduling in the future for the sake of player welfare.

    “We will not throw any tournaments away, we are very close… In the (Spanish) Cup semi-finals, last 16 in Europe, Club World Cup semis,” Ancelotti said last week.

    “We don’t ever want to throw matches away… (but) the schedule is just remarkable, it doesn’t stop.

    “LaLiga wants its share, FIFA wants its share, UEFA wants its share, Spanish FA wants its share… They won’t allow us to have a day to rest.

    “I get bored when I get days to rest, but the players get tired…

    “We’re always looking forward to fight for every title but we’re going beyond our limits with the schedule as it is. Between all of us we need to do something to avoid this situation.”

    The winners of the Real Madrid versus Al Ahly game will in the final match face either Brazilian side Flamengo or Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.

    Both sides play in the second semi-final in Tangier on Tuesday.

  • La Liga: Karim Benzema double rescues Real Madrid

    La Liga: Karim Benzema double rescues Real Madrid

    Karim Benzema scored twice in the final seven minutes to earn Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Real Valladolid.

    The late strikes by the Ballon d’Or winner lift Madrid top of La Liga, a point clear of Barcelona.

    Benzema, who missed the World Cup through injury, put Real ahead with an 83rd-minute penalty after a highly disputed handball decision.

    He wrapped up the win six minutes later with a calm finish from Eduardo Camavinga’s pass.

    This was Real’s first game since the World Cup, with losing French finalists Aurelien Tchouameni and Camavinga on the bench.

    Luka Modric started however after leading Croatia to third place as was Benzema, the 35-year-old leading the line after missing out on Qatar having suffered a thigh injury the day before the start of the tournament.

    Both teams had several chances to open the scoring, but superb goalkeeping from Valladolid’s Jordi Masip and Real’s Thibaut Courtois kept the game goalless until the final few minutes.

    Real were awarded a penalty when Javi Sanchez was judged to have handled the ball. The decision sent the home team into a frenzy and striker Sergio Leon was sent off for dissent.

    Benzema shrugged off the distraction and delay, and converted the penalty with ease.

    Then, in the 89th minute, Benzema doubled the visitors’ lead after being left unmarked to fire a well-placed shot home from just inside the box .

    Real retake the league lead from Barcelona, who have a game in hand and host Espanyol on Saturday.

    BBC

  • REVEALED: Why Deschamps demanded Benzema be cut from France squad

    REVEALED: Why Deschamps demanded Benzema be cut from France squad

    Spanish journalist Anton Meana has lifted the lid on the rift between Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and France coach Didier Deschamps.

    Benzema was released from the France squad before the World Cup kicked off due to a thigh injury, though he was playing in a friendly for Real Madrid before last week’s semifinal.

    Meana told El Larguero: “What comes closest to a credible version when you ask France is that Benzema did not tell the truth to Deschamps. That he wasn’t as physically fit as he was trying to pretend. That the FFF sees him in training, sees that he is not well and Deschamps feels a relative betrayal. That’s why he sends him home.

    “The truth is that the medical report that Real Madrid received from the FFF does not appear to be too serious for a player to return home. France sends him back and does not envisage his return to Doha at any time. Benzema would have been ready to come back.

    “Furthermore, those around him say he would have recovered in Game 2 or 3, without returning to Madrid.”