Benzema to stay with Real Madrid until end of 2021 season

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Getafe during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, near Madrid, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Francisco Seco/AP)

MADRID — Real Madrid says it has extended the contract of Karim Benzema until the end of the 2021 season.

The French striker’s current contract was valid until the end of the 2019 campaign.

Spanish media says Benzema’s buyout clause will remain at 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), similar to Cristiano Ronaldo’s clause.

The 29-year-old Benzema has been playing with Madrid since 2009. He will be 33 if he stays until the end of his new contract.

Benzema has scored one goal in six appearances this season.

Madrid recently also extended the contracts of veteran left back Marcelo, attacking midfielder Francisco "Isco" Alarcon and right back Dani Carvajal.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.