Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has dismissed recent speculation surrounding his future, insisting he wants to remain with the club for “many years”.
Benzema, 28, played 77 minutes of Real’s Champions League success on Saturday night before being replaced by winger Lucas Vazquez whilst his side were 1-0 ahead, with Atletico equalising just two minutes later.
But the Frenchman – who will miss the upcoming European Championship in his native France due to a blackmail scandal – has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu Stadium in recent weeks, with Robert Lewandowski’s agent confirming talks with Real Madrid have taken place.
Despite the talk of Madrid making the Polish international their newest ‘Galactico’, Benzema reiterated his desire to remain in the Spanish capital for the upcoming season.
“I am happy here and I hope to be here for many years,” Benzema said.
“I thank the people in Madrid for being there for me and my family. Thanks to everybody because they are part of my life and we are going to be used to winning titles.”
One of the clubs said to be interested in a move for the former Lyon man are Manchester United, who have recently appointed Benzema’s former boss Jose Mourinho as their manager. The striker enjoyed three highly productive years under Mourinho’s tutelage, scoring 78 goals in 150 appearances in all competitions, including his most prolific campaign in 2011/12, where he netted 32 times for Real.
Saturday evening’s win over Atletico was Benzema’s second Champions League title in three years and his eighth major title since joining Madrid in 2009 for €35 million.
Following the win on Saturday night, the 81-cap French international was quick to thank the club’s non-playing staff, as well as express his delight at the team’s achievement which helped seal the club’s 11th European Cup/Champions League title.
He added: “I am very proud of the team and I am glad because it is a very important title for everybody.
“I have to thank to the supporters, the club’s president [Florentino Perez], the coach [Zinedine Zidane], the players and today we are in Madrid’s history.”
Article by Dean Carr of SBAT.com.
Comments
andym
Founder and chief editor of La Liga Blog, Andy fell in love with Spanish football after a university placement year in the Costa Del Sol. His favourite Tapas is Albondigas and on Saturday afternoons, Andy can regularly be found trying to emulate his hero Carles Puyol for his amateur football team.