Benzema: I Will Retire At Real Madrid, No Other Options

Karim Benzema (Twitter @realmadrid)

JAKARTA - Karim Benzema's contract with Real Madrid will expire at the end of this season. After winning the Ballon d'Or award on Monday night, the French striker said he wanted to retire at Los Blancos.

Benzema has been one of the elite European strikers for years. And now, he has been awarded the greatest individual award ever.

After getting the Ballon d'Or, Benzema was asked if he would end his career with Real Madrid.

"Yes, there is no other choice," Benzema replied while talking to Onda Cero.

"For me it was a dream to sign a contract with Real Madrid. I had three dreams, bought a house for my mother, played for Real Madrid and had a Ballon d'Or."

Benzema was one of three Galacticos signed by Florentino Perez when he returned to the presidency in 2009, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

The president even visited Benzema personally to try to convince him to move to Spain.

"You will be the best in the world and the place to achieve it is Real Madrid," Perez told him at the time.

So, at a price of 36 million euros, the club got the striker from Lyon. During his 13 years with Real Madrid, Benzema was the second-highest goalscorer in the club's history, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (451 goals).

By declaring his retirement at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Benzema has poured cold water on rumors of returning to his childhood club, Lyon.

It remains to be seen when exactly he will retire. His current contract expires in 2023, when he will be 35 years old.

However, it is hoped that he will sign a new contract and continue to lead Los Blancos' front line.