Karim Benzema spoke at the MARCA Leyenda award ceremony in order to break away from the trend that most of the media had set since Saudi Arabia pulled out all the stops to try to take the Real Madrid striker to the Saudi Pro League.

On stage, with the MARCA Leyenda under his arm and after Clara's question, Ana's tears and Miguel Quintana's insistence, he looked to clarify his position on the matter.

"The reality is not what they say on the Internet," he said to the presenter of the gala.

In the face of the barrage of rumours that suggested he was nearing an Estadio Santiago Bernabeu exit, the reality is that Benzema had not even made a statement and his idea was and is to remain with Los Merengues.

The fact is that Benzema is going to stay. He is going to complete the remaining year of his contract with the club, which is what both parties have had in mind for a long time.

The French forward is very grateful to Saudi Arabia for the enormous interest they have shown for months now, but the player wants to leave Madrid through in an honorable manner when his contract expires.

Benzema, moreover, still feels he has enough strength to have a great season, which could be his last. It is also true that Benzema has not shut down the possibility of playing in the Saudi Arabian League at the end of the 23/24 season.

The offer is still on the table even if he finally stays in Spain. It was already unanswerable this year, but the Ballon d'Or holder is clear about it and everything that is said from this moment on will already be with a view to 2024.

He wants more

Benzema also considers that this season may not have been his best, but he is satisfied on a collective and individual level. In terms of the former, Real Madrid reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for yet another year and have won the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup.

On the individual level, with the last matchday to go, he has scored 30 goals, despite the fact that he has not been at his best on many occasions due to physical problems. Despite missing 18 games, he has been the top scorer for another year. In spite of everything, Karim is demanding and his objective is to mark what could be his last season by showing his best level. The legend continues.