Sadly-missed Real Madrid legend returns to Spain for pre-season

Real Madrid are yet to partake in pre-season. They are behind the usual schedule, since their season ended later than other clubs due to their place in the UEFA Champions League final. Many of their players are yet to return from holiday too, as they went far in their respective international tournaments.

However, there are a plethora of respected Real Madrid legends in action for pre-season, meaning Real Madrid fans will not be short of club culture. Indeed, there is one club legend who has returned to Spain to play for the first time since 2023.

Sadly-missed Real Madrid legend returns to Spain for pre-season

Karim Benzema is currently in Spain for his side Al-Ittihad's pre-season proceedings. They lost to Elche in Spain over the weekend by a scoreline of 2-0 in favour of La Liga side. Next up, Karim Benzema's team will face Sevilla and Real Betis in pre-season, which are two clubs he has a rich history against.

For Karim Benzema, returning to Spain is bound to be emotional. After all, it's in the country's capital where he truly made a name for himself as a centre forward, cementing himself into the Real Madrid history books forever.

In Madrid, Benzema formed a formidable partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo, who he now plays against in the Saudi Pro League. Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo's side Al Nassr are partaking their pre-season campaign in Portugal, Ronaldo's birth place. It would have been great to see Ronaldo return for his final bout in Spain in pre-season but understandably, he will return to Portugal.

Benzema has taken this time in Spain to reflect on his glory days. According to Marca, Karim Benzema is aware of the club culture at Real Madrid, which involves many great players coming and other great players going. He has no regrets about his decision to leave the club.

In his own words, Benzema said: “Players come and go. It’s like that at Real Madrid, it will always happen. It was the right moment to leave, I look back and feel happy. Real Madrid is always the best team in the world. Players come and go, but Real Madrid will always be at the very top.”

Indeed, the feeling is mutual for Real Madrid. Fans will look back and recall nothing but exceptional memories of seeing Karim Benzema don the centre-forward role. He was an incredibly underrated player and the best striker in the world during his time with Real Madrid. That said, the club was moving in a new direction, so it was the right time for him to leave in 2023.

What is your favourite memory of Karim Benzema in a Real Madrid shirt?