Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema refused to be drawn on his future, telling reporters “reality is not the internet” in response to rumours of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Benzema, 35, has enjoyed 14 trophy laden years in Spain but reports this week suggest he will follow former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to the kingdom next season.
“Why am I going to talk about the future if I am in Madrid?” asked the Frenchman during an awards ceremony held by Marca.
“The thing that is talking is the internet and reality is not the internet.”
The former Lyon striker have been linked with a move to recently anointed Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad, who secured the title ahead of Ronaldo's Al Nassr with a match to spare.
Saudi football is set for a major summer, with a number of prominent stars anticipated to land in the Pro League. There is growing confidence Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, will make the move to record 18-time champions Hilal once his contract expires at Paris Saint-Germain.
Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Angel Di Maria, N’Golo Kante and Sadio Mane are among other names linked with Saudi Arabia.
Benzema, the reigning Ballon d'Or and one of Real Madrid's most decorated players having won five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles. He is the club's second highest scorer with 353 goals.
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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, left, heads the ball past Elche's Jose Angel Carmona during Spanish La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Benzema scored twice in a 4-0 win for Real. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema holds up the Club World Cup trophy prior to kick off. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema controls the ball. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scores his side's third goal from the penalty spot. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring his side's third goal. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, is congratulated after scoring his side's second goal from the penalty spot. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, right, heads the ball ahead of Elche's Lisandro Magallan. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in action against Elche's Jose Angel Carmona. EPA -
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema grabs the Club World Cup trophy before the start of the match. AFP -
Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia, bottom, catches the ball ahead of Real Madrid's Marco Asensio. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio scores his side's first goal. AFP -
Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring his team's first goal. AFP -
Real Madrid's Luka Modric scores his side's fourth goal. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Luka Modric, centre, is congratulated by teammates. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Luka Modric. EPA
The former France international still has a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu but reports in Spain and the Gulf said Ittihad are prepared to offer him a bumper €200 million ($215m) two-year contract.
“For now I'm here,” said Benzema, who has won 25 titles in his time at Real Madrid. “Tomorrow, I go training, I enjoy every day and on Sunday I have a game.
“I'm very proud of my work and I enjoy every training session, every game and the most important thing is to enjoy.
“When I go to Valdebebas, it's not work for me because the day it's work, I won't want to do it any more.
“I enjoy football like children do and in my head, I'm still a child.”
Real Madrid end their season on Sunday at home to Athletic Bilbao knowing victory will secure them second place in La Liga ahead of city rivals Atletico.
Carlo Ancelotti's team have endured a disappointing season by their standards, surrendering La Liga to Barcelona and the Champions League following their elimination to Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Real will not end the season trophyless though after beating Osasuna in last month's Copa del Rey final.
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Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema receives the Ballon d'Or award during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet in Paris on October 17, 2022 in Paris. Getty Images -
Karim Benzema receives the Ballon d'Or award from Zinedine Zidane next to his mother Malika Benzema, his son Ibrahim and his father Hafid Benzema. Getty Images -
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba speak on stage during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet in Paris. Getty Images -
Karim Benzema receives the Ballon d'Or award from Zinedine Zidane next to his mother Malika Benzema, his son Ibrahim and his father Hafid Benzema. Getty Images -
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, right, applauds Karim Benzema after receiving the Ballon d'Or award. Getty Images -
Karim Benzema gives a thumbs up. Getty Images -
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid kisses his father Hafid Benzema next to his mother Wahida Djebbara. EPA -
Didier Drigba, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema and French-British TV journalist Sandy Heribert. EPA -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema after winning the Ballon d'Or. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema hugs former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane after winning the Ballon d'Or with former player and manager Zinedine Zidane. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema after winning the Ballon d'Or. Reuters
