Karim Benzema bid goodbye to Real Madrid on Sunday after a 14-year profession on the Spanish capital, the place he gained trophies galore.
Benzema joined the membership in 2009 and led the membership to 5 Champions League, 4 La Liga, three Copa del Rey and 5 Club World Cup titles amongst different main honours.
The 35-year-old additionally scored 354 objectives – second in Los Blancos’ all-time record – in 648 appearances earlier than the Frenchman obtained the final word particular person recognition final yr with a Ballon d’Or award.
With Benzema’s departure, the membership has the arduous job of changing the quantity 9. Here, we check out a number of choices who may take up the function this summer time.
Harry Kane
Kane stays the obvious selection with a rising sense of frustration over Tottenham Hostpur’s lack of ability to compete for trophies. After expressing his need to depart the membership in 2021, Kane remained for 2 extra seasons and have become the membership’s all-time main scorer (280 objectives) this yr.
With Spurs being reluctant to promote Kane to a rival membership, a transfer to Madrid stays the perfect scenario for the North London membership. Despite a change in his enjoying type in recent times, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Kane is among the many prime strikers on the earth with 92 objectives and 32 assists throughout the final three seasons. Kane’s type of soccer would additionally doubtless get one of the best out of mercurial Vinicius Jr. and the rising star Rodrygo Goes.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe regarded set to maneuver to Real Madrid final summer time earlier than spuring its advances to signal a brand new contract with Paris Saint-Germain a lot to the displeasure of the Spanish membership’s president Fiorentino Perez. Mbappe went on to bag the Golden Boot on the World Cup in Qatar and claimed one other league title in France whereas including a fifth successive Golden Boot in Ligue 1.
While he began his profession as a winger, he has been main the road for PSG for a lot of the final two seasons and the 24-year-old would be the crown jewel in Madrid’s assault for years to come back. But until Mbappe forces a transfer via, it’s unlikely that he shall be seen in a Madrid shirt subsequent season.
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen is among the many hottest strikers in Europe after his goal-scoring exploits led Napoli to its first Serie A title in 33 years. In 39 matches, the Nigerian striker scored 31 objectives and arrange 5 for his teammates.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen completed as Serie A top-scorer this season.
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CIRO DE LUCA/REUTERS
His harm historical past, nevertheless, since his transfer to Napoli in 2020 shall be a possible concern for his suitors. The 24-year-old has missed 41 video games in three seasons via accidents.
Lautaro Martinez
At 5’9”, Martinez doesn’t match the invoice of a standard No. 9 however his objectives and assists have marked him out as among the many feared strikers for the time being. The 25-year-old had his finest season when it comes to output with 28 objectives and 11 assists that enabled Inter to a Champions League ultimate and two home trophies in Italy.
Inter Milan’s Argentinian ahead Lautaro Martinez in the course of the UEFA Champions League.
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GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP
Madrid has beforehand proven its curiosity within the Argentinian, nevertheless, Inter’s analysis of a €100 million asking worth may show to be a stumbling block.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford had his finest goal-scoring season at Manchester United with 30 objectives which has reinvigorated his profession after a lean 2021-22 season when he contributed simply 5. Normally deployed as a large attacker, Rashford confirmed his functionality to guide the road, too, all through the season.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford reacts.
| Photo Credit:
TONY OBRIEN/REUTERS
With United not having gained the Premier League title since 2013 and Rashford approaching the ultimate yr of his contract with the membership, the participant can have his doubts in regards to the membership’s problem sooner or later.
While United hopes to tie down its academy graduate for a very long time, Madrid shall be hoping to lure him away from Manchester.
Rodrygo Goes
Real may look in-house to interchange Benzema with Rodrygo lastly making the step up from a backup function to change into the membership’s main striker.
The Brazilian has really arrived together with his performances within the final two seasons, when he chipped in with essential objectives in its place within the 2022 Champions League win, earlier than scoring 19 objectives this season as an everyday starter.
