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Karim Benzema leaves Madrid for €100m Saudi deal
Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema said farewell to Real Madrid in a small, private ceremony closed to fans and media on Tuesday following a trophy-laden 14-year stay with the La Liga club. The 35-year old French striker will leave as a free agent in the close season and is set to move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, signing a two-year deal estimated by media reports to be worth more than €100m. There were no tears in a ceremony that lasted less than 20 minutes and in which only players, family and close friends were allowed to attend. "I will never forget Real Madrid. It's impossible, it's the best club in history," Benzema told the small audience at Real's training facilities