Karim Benzema scores a penalty in final Real Madrid game

Karim Benzema ended his 14 years with Real Madrid on a high note after he scored a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao on the final night of the LaLiga season.

The French striker confirmed he will leave the Bernabeu this summer on Sunday and the Real legend duly scored his 354th goal for the club amid emotional scenes.

He was withdrawn to a rousing standing ovation two minutes later as he prepares to move to Saudi Arabia.

Despite Benzema netting his 31st of the season, Real’s draw saw them slip below rivals Atletico Madrid and finish third in the table. 

Oihan Sancet gave Bilbao the lead four minutes after half-time after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved an earlier penalty from Mikel Vesga. 

Karim Benzema celebrates after converting a penalty in his farewell game for Real Madrid

The French striker was given a fitting send-off by the Bernabeu crowd in his final appearance

Benzema is lifted up in the air by his Real team-mates after his final outing for the club

Karim Benzema slams home his penalty to ensure his final appearance featured a goal

Two minutes later, he received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd when taken off

Luka Modric embraces Benzema after replacing him 16 minutes from time at the Bernabeu

Real finished second in the LaLiga table after a late Villarreal equaliser denied their rivals Atletico Madrid snatching the runners-up spot behind Barcelona.  

The news that Benzema is leaving Real Madrid after 14 years to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad was confirmed ahead of kick-off.

An official statement described the striker as a ‘fundamental player in this golden age of our history’ and as one of the club’s ‘greatest legends’.

Real plan to hold a tribute and farewell to their club captain in the city on Tuesday before he takes up a two-year deal worth a staggering £345million at the Jeddah-based club. 

Karim Benzema battles for the ball with Aitor Paredes of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night

There was appreciation for club legend Benzema in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu

The news that French striker Benzema is departing the club after 14 years broke ahead of the final LaLiga fixture of the season

Al-Ittihad have just won the Saudi Pro League title, finishing five points ahead of Al-Nassr, whose team includes Benzema’s erstwhile team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Benzema has made over 600 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos, and is the club’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, behind only former teammate Ronaldo.

Then-Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini brought Benzema to the Bernabeu in 2009 in a £30million deal after he had enjoyed a pair of prolific campaigns in Ligue 1 with Lyon.

The teenager initially struggled to hold down a place in the teams star-studded starting XI but ultimately went on to become an integral part of Real Madrid’s dominance throughout the 2010s and beyond, winning every piece of silverware available to him.

After netting a career-best 44 goals in 46 games in the 2021-22 season Benzema became the oldest Ballon d’Or winner since Stanley Matthews, collecting the coveted honour in the same season he won his fifth Champions League trophy, a joint-record.

Though the veteran forward’s most recent campaign has been curtailed by injuries, he still managed 18 La Liga goals in 23 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s with the club currently second in the league.

The skipper’s presence was also felt in the Copa del Rey, where he netted a hat-trick and notched an assist against Barcelona in the semi-finals second leg in a 4-0 win to overcome a 1-0 deficit, before playing 90 minutes in the final win over Osasuna.

Oihan Sancet celebrates scoring the goal that gave Athletic Bilbao a 49th minute advantage

Real’s defence were caught cold just after the interval as Sancet handed Bilbao the lead

Bilbao’s Mikel Vesga saw an early penalty kick saved by Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois 

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior rues a missed opportunity during Sunday night’s match