Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has reportedly agreed a new contract with the club, with Marca reporting the extension of his deal until 2023. The Frenchman has joined pre-season training with Carlo Ancelotti’s side after a long-awaited return to the national team during the Euros, where he scored four goals. Marca said talks had been ongoing as of April with an agreement already in place as Madrid look to challenge for silverware again next season. Benzema has played 383 times in La Liga and scored 192 goals in the process, placing him in 11th in the all-time La Liga top goal scorers list. Despite approaching his 34th birthday at the end of the year, Benzema achieved his best La Liga season for goals and assists since the 2011/12 campaign, with 23 goals and nine assists in the season just gone. He remains a vital part of the Real Madrid side, and his re-signing is hugely important after the club lost influential captain Sergio Ramos to PSG, and could lose his centre-back partner Raphael Varane to Manchester United. Despite challenging for the title most of the way through the season, Real fell two points short of local rivals Atletico in La Liga last season and lost in the Champions League semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea. That made for a trophyless season again for Los Galacticos and brought an end to Zinedine Zidane’s second stint in charge. Benzema could well be in line to step into Ramos’ shoes as captain of the club this coming season, but regardless his experience and know-how in big moments will be vital to what is suddenly a rather transitional Real Madrid team. There isn’t really a great deal of youth coming through at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Benzema could help nurture any young talents in his final years at the club. This new contract will take him up to the brink of his 36th birthday, and could be the last deal he signs as a Real Madrid player.
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Benzema could end his career as Real Madrid captain
