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MADRID — Karim Benzema has officially bid farewell to Real Madrid. He says he wanted to end his career with the club but life gave him another opportunity. Saudi Arabia club Al-Ittihad later announced it had signed the 35-year-old player until 2026. Benzema played the last of his 648 games with Madrid on Sunday. Benzema spoke at a ceremony organized by Madrid at the clubhouse and attended by his teammates, former players and club president Florentino Pérez. Perez handed the French star a gold insignia and said, "Your legacy will last forever as a beautiful love story between Benzema and Real Madrid."
