Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti has reacted to the report of Karim Benzema leaving the club he spent 14 years at, amid interest from Saudi Arabia. The French footballer scored in his final match for the club on the final day of the 22/23 La Liga season. Karim Benzema scored from a penalty during the match against Athletic Club to make it 1-1, after Madrid defender Eder Militao was fouled inside the box. The French forward, whose Madrid goal tally now stands at 354, was soon subbed off and received a standing ovation from the fans. 
Ancelotti speaking to Real Madrid players after a match. Source: Getty Speaking to reporters after the match, Ancelotti revealed that it came as a “surprise” as Benzema shared his decision on his future at the club on Sunday morning, hours before the final match of the season. He said; “His departure was a surprise for everyone, but you have to understand it. It was a last-minute decision. Yesterday he trained normally and today he made this decision. “We understand it. I spoke to him this morning and he said that he was leaving and I understood it. He has done very well with me in these four years and also at the club. For that all my thanks. “He has thought it through and his decision is part of the transition of this club, which continues and will continue next year. We have time to think about what we have to do. We will have a competitive squad next year. 
Ancelotti celebrating a win with Benzema. Source: Getty “I am sending him off knowing that I have coached one of the best players in the world and one of the best forwards. He is a very kind, humble and serious person. “We cannot be happy about his farewell, but we have to respect his decision. He has won the right to choose and we all thank him for what he has been able to do at this club. It has been legendary, something unforgettable, and it will remain forever in the memory of this club.” Benzema, the Ballon d’Or holder and current UEFA player of the year joined Real from Lyon in July 2009 for a reported fee of 35 million euros and has been linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. Real will now work on signing a replacement for Benzema, who is reportedly set to complete a big-money switch to Saudi Arabia. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen are among those being linked with a switch to the Bernabeu, with Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard following Benzema through the exits to leave Ancelotti short of options in the final third.
He added; “No player was pleased with his departure as you could hear or read. “Karim knows that too. I don’t know who spread those rumors. It’s not even controversy anymore, it’s malice. If smiles appeared, it wasn’t because Karim had left us, it was because the team was winning. “I called him after I renewed my contract. “We had a long chat. I called him again more recently to know his predisposition for the next call-ups and he confirmed his decision to end his international career. Don’t ask me about his arguments. It will be up to him to communicate them or not”. Shortly after the interview went viral, Benzema took to social media to post some of Deschamps’ quotes. He posted a clown emoji and wrote: “The audacity”. Then he wrote: “That Didier. Goodnight” to caption a video of a man saying “You lie. You’re a liar.” 
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner appeared to tweak something when unleashing a shot at Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal. He was then substituted in the match which Real Madrid won 2-0. Before being substituted, Benzema got an assist in Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior’s goals. It has now emerged that he felt an issue in his right thigh, and a proper assessment of the injury is expected today, February 3. 
Speaking to reporters after the match, Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti said; “It seems that Militao is not going to make it for Sunday. The Benzema thing seems milder, as a precaution. It is what happens when you play every three days without time to recover.” 
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has denied falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo who reunited with his former teammates who are currently in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final clash with Barcelona today, January 15. 
Ronaldo was spotted in photos speaking to Real Madrid players, but Benzema was nowhere to be seen, leading to speculation of an alleged rift. The claim has however been shut down by Benzema who told reporters that they don’t need to take photos to say they are friends. 
He said; “We don’t need to take photos to say we’re friends, the photos are for Instagram or Twitter, that’s another world. “We didn’t have time to greet each other because I was training and immediately he also went to train. I hope to see him tomorrow at the stadium and be able to talk to him for a while.” 