Karim Benzema ‘will announce that he will leave Real Madrid in a press conference this afternoon’

Karim Benzema is reportedly set to announce this afternoon that he will be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Gianluca DiMarzio have reported that the Frenchman will confirm the news in a press conference, ending his legendary 14-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It comes as the Frenchman appears poised to join former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia – following reports earlier this week that he had been offered a £345 million two-year offer by an unnamed club.

Benzema will go down as one of the club’s all-time best players, scoring 353 goals in 647 appearances and winning numerous trophies, including the Champions League, a record five times.

The bombing comes just hours after Paris Saint-Germain announced that Lionel Messi will play his last game for the club on Saturday.

Benzema looks likely to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League with reports he has been offered a deal worth a whopping £345 million by an unnamed club in the country

The news follows that of Lionel Messi who will leave Paris Saint-Germain and possibly also move to Saudi Arabia

Benzema may have played his last game for the club after opting out of the season in a post on Instagram after suffering a nasty cut on his foot.

However, it remains to be seen whether Benzema will make an appearance when Real Madrid play their final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Reports in Spain had suggested Benzema – whose contract expires this summer – was likely to sign a new deal.

Concerns had grown, however, when the 35-year-old failed to announce his future until now.

If reports are correct and Benzema is handed a two-year £345m deal, the staggering deal would effectively match Cristiano Ronaldo’s current A £173 million a year contract with Al-Nassr.

It was also claimed that Benzema’s signing would help the country’s strategy to clinch the 2030 World Cup – and the Frenchman could become an ambassador for the competition.

Benzema would likely earn a large sum of money if he took on an ambassadorial role for the league if they won the bidding rights in a tournament to be held alongside Turkey and Greece.

Earlier this month, Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid are looking for a new striker ahead of Benzema’s departure, citing his age as a crucial factor.

Benzema is one of the most successful players in Real Madrid history with 24 silver pieces

Benzema had the best year of his career in 2022, which led to receiving the Ballon d’Or

Benzema has scored 353 goals for Real Madrid since joining from Lyon in 2009 (pictured)

Benzema is one of many names, including Messi, and departing Barcelona duo Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Ronaldo was the first big name player to make the move late last year and he has created a stir in the Gulf States.

Al-Nassr finished second in the league during his first season, but that didn’t stop Ronaldo from cheering on the future prospects of the country’s top flight.

Ronaldo said: “The Saudi league is getting better, next year will be even better.

Benzema has reportedly been given ‘a chance to become an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup’ should Saudi Arabia host the tournament

The 35-year-old won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League trophies with Real Madrid

“Step by step, I think, this league is getting into the top five in the world, but they need time, they need players, they need infrastructure.” But I believe this country has great potential. They have great people and the competition will be great in my opinion.”

Since moving from Lyon to Madrid for £25 million in 2009, Benzema has worked his way up to second in the club’s all-time scoring charts – behind only Ronaldo who scored 450.

Benzema often played second fiddle to Ronaldo before the latter left for Juventus in 2018. But the striker kept the club from feeling the absence of the Portuguese superstar and helped lead the team further to greater success.

He had the best season of his career last year, scoring 44 goals as Los Blancos clinched both the LaLiga title and the Champions League by beating Liverpool. This led to him receiving the Ballon d’Or gong for the first time in his career.

In total, Benzema has won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League trophies during his nearly a decade and a half at the Santiago Bernabeu.