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After winning the Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema makes a bold prediction about his future at Real Madrid.
French Football player Karim Benzema has made a bold claim about his future at Real Madrid after winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or award.
The 34-year-old became the second-oldest winner in the award’s history and the first Frenchman to win the award since Zinedine Zidane in 1998. His contract was reportedly automatically extended by another year following his Ballon d’Or win.
Karim Benzema has declared his intention to hang up his football boots at Real Madrid. After winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 17, in Paris, he stated as much.
His deal will now run until the summer of 2024, which could be the time when the Lyon-born striker announces his retirement. He will be 36 years old by then, which is around the time most players call it a day when it comes to their playing careers.
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Speaking to Onda Cero (h/t Fabrizio Romano) after the star-studded ceremony, Benzema said:
“I will retire in Real Madrid. There’s no other option for me.”
Karim Benzema announces: "I will retire in Real Madrid. There's no other option for me", he said to Onda Cero right after the Ballon d'Or ceremony. 🚨⚪️ #Benzema pic.twitter.com/PzV6ub4z2d
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 18, 2022
After winning the Ballon d’Or, Benzema could not hide his joy and delight and said (h/t Eurosport):
“Seeing this prize in front of me makes me really proud. It was a childhood dream for me and all the work I have done, I never gave up. I am really proud of my journey here.
“It was not easy, it was a difficult time and also for my family as well. When I was not in the France team I never stopped working hard. To be standing here today for the first time, I am happy for my work and will keep going.”