Benzema signs new bumper contract with Real

MADRID: Karim Benzema became the latest Real Madrid star to sign a new bumper four-year contract with the European champions to 2021, the club announced.

“Real Madrid and Benzema have agreed to extend the contract of the player, who will remain tied to the club until June 30, 2021,” Real said in a statement on Wednesday.

Vice-captain Marcelo, Isco and Dani Carvajal all extended to 2022 over the past week as Real reward key members of the squad that became the first side to retain the Champions League trophy in June.

Coach Zinedine Zidane’s renewal is also imminent after the Frenchman repeated on Tuesday that his deal is “done”.

Benzema is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for another month.

The 29-year-old has won 14 trophies, including three Champions League and two La Liga titles, since joining Real from Lyon as one of Europe’s most promising strikers in 2009.

The Frenchman’s eight-year stint at the Bernabeu has been filled with highs and lows.

Jose Mourinho complained of his meek nature claiming he wanted a “hunter” whilst describing Benzema as a “cat” when Real boss, and Benzema has often found himself whistled by the demanding Bernabeu crowd for his lack of killer instinct.

“When you play at a big club and you are a big player, you will always receive criticism.

“If you are never criticised, it is because you are a small player,” Benzema said in May.

However, it is his unselfish play that has seen him form a perfect partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and see off the challenge of Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata among others to be Real’s number nine.

“Morata plays so little under Zidane because Benzema is the best striker to play with Cristiano,” another of Benzema’s former Real coaches Carlo Ancelotti told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera before June’s Champions League final. — AFP