Ancelotti reveals why Eden Hazard did not make Real Madrid farewell appearance
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the departing Eden Hazard did not ask for a farewell appearance at the club.
Los Blancos wrapped up their 2022/23 La Liga season with a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Club as the outgoing Karim Benzema scored his final goal for the club.
However, with so much attention on Benzema’s goodbye, Hazard’s own departure was lost in the noise at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Marco Asensio was substituted on, and off, to give the home support a chance to say goodbye to the Spanish international, but Hazard and Mariano Diaz remained on the bench.
Both players are joining Benzema and Asensio in leaving on free transfers, in what promises to a summer of changes in Madrid, and Ancelotti confirmed the duo did not ask to come on.
“I can only make five changes. They did not asked to come on, but I want to say they have been serious and professional”, as per reports from Marca.
“They have behaved at the maximum level until the last day.”
Hazard’s future remains very uncertain, with Benzema tipped to make a move to Saudi Arabia in the coming days, and Asensio attracting attention from the Premier League
OFFICIAL: Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years at Bernabeu
As per an official statement, Real Madrid said that both parties agreed to a mutual termination of Benzema’s contract at the end of this month, meaning that Sunday’s match against Athletic Club will be the Frenchman’s final appearance in the famous white jersey.
During his time at Real Madrid, Benzema won 25 trophies, establishing himself as one of the most successful players in the club’s esteemed history. This included five Champions Leagues, five LaLiga titles and three Copa del Rey crowns.
In a statement released on the day of their match with Athletic Club, Real Madrid said:
“Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club.
“Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of our greatest legends.
“Karim Benzema joined our club in 2009, at just 21 years of age, and has been a fundamental player in this golden era of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has defended our badge and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record number for Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 Copa del Reys and 4 Spanish Super Cups.”
Second highest scorer in Real Madrid history
Benzema has played 647 times for Madrid and in well over a decade in the Spanish capital, became the club’s second-highest top scorer ever with 353 goals.
The club will bid farewell to the 35-year-old on Tuesday 6 June.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid will hold an institutional act of homage and farewell to Benzema, with Florentino Perez to be present to pay tribute to the 35-year-old.
Benzema is expected to move to Al-Ittihad, having received a mammoth contract offer from the Saudi club earlier this week. However, there will certainly be a lot of sadness from Madridistas that he is leaving Real Madrid.
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