Karim Benzema Reportedly Refuses to Extend Real Madrid Contract Till 2024
Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema is reportedly expected to extend his contract with the Los Blancos outfit, but he will not extend his contract till 2024 - with ABC Deportes claiming that the reason relates to his performance levels.
Benzema is reportedly concerned about his performance level dropping in the future and has made this known to club executives. He has reportedly told them he does not want to become a burden to the team.
The report goes on to state that the 33-year-old has accepted a contract renewal till 2023 and has taken a 10% wage reduction for the upcoming 2021-22 season and a 15% wage reduction for the following 2022-23 season.
? @Benzema will renew his Real Madrid contract until 2023 in the next few days. He was offered a contract until 2024, but he refused as he doesn't want to be a burden on the club if his performances decline and he'll have an easy way out of the club. [@abc_es] ?? pic.twitter.com/d1aY0aqBEh
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) August 1, 2021
The Frenchman's current contract runs till 2022, with it expected that he will extend it till 2023 - which gives the Los Blancos time for them to ensure that they can they sign their long-term target in Kylian Mbappe.
Benzema has without doubt been Madrid's best player ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018, shouldering the goalscoring responsibility, netting 87 goals over the past three seasons. In total, he has been at the Bernabeu since 2009, making 559 appearances, scoring 279 goals and helping the club win three LaLiga titles and four Champions League honours.