Ballon d'Or Benzema! Real Madrid star earns contract extension

James Shearman

• 20 Apr 2023 15:30 CDT
• 1 min read

KARIM BENZEMA has been handed a one-year contract extension.

That’s after Real Madrid activated a special unwritten clause in the Frenchman’s deal.

Benzema, 35, will go down as one of the greats after spending an incredible 14 years at the Bernabeu so far.

He joined Real from Lyon for £36million in 2009 after winning four consecutive league titles in France.

And Benzema has since gone on to land four La Ligas and five Champions Leagues with Los Blancos.

The striker has also netted an incredible 349 goals in 640 games.

And after last term’s 44-goal haul, Benzema was awarded his first-ever Ballon d’Or in October.

As a result, AS claims his contract has now been extended for another year.

Winning the coveted individual trophy saw an unwritten clause activated by Real president Florentino Perez.

Benzema’s contract was due to expire this summer.

But he will now be staying put at the Bernabeu until 2024, with next term expected to be his last.

Real already have a replacement lined up in Brazilian teenager Endrick.

The versatile forward, who can play through the middle or on the left, will cost Real £60m.

The Spaniards saw off competition from Chelsea to sign Endrick from Palmeiras.

And he could be set to form a front three featuring fellow Samba stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.