French midfielder, N’Golo Kante has left Chelsea to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad after seven years at Stamford Bridge where  he won numerous trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup He was also part of the French team that won the World Cup in 2018.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors praised Kante’s impact and influence on the club. Kante’s ball-winning ability was crucial to Chelsea’s unexpected league crown in the 2016/17 season, which earned him multiple Player of the Year awards. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the club said:
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Chelsea today says goodbye to club legend N’Golo Kante, with the midfielder to join Saudi Professional League side Al-Ittihad at the expiration of his contract.
The 32-year-old played a decisive role throughout his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The World Cup was also claimed with France in 2018, but as Kante’s medal collection swelled, he remained understated, humble, and immensely popular with team-mates, coaches and supporters alike. 
N’Golo Kante lauded by his Chelsea team-mates after winning the Premier League title at West Bromwich Albion in 2017 
Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘N’Golo’s impact and influence during his time at Chelsea cannot be overstated. His tireless performances in midfield contributed to several trophy wins and has guaranteed him a place in the club’s history. We wish him well as he embarks on the next chapter in his career.’
Kante arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2016 having played a key role in Leicester City winning the Premier League title. He instantly settled into the Chelsea midfield and his ball-winning ability was fundamental to Antonio Conte’s team securing an unexpected league crown.
Such was the France international’s influence across the 2016/17 campaign, he was named PFA Player of the Year, the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season.
At the end of the following campaign – which ended with an FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United at Wembley – Kante was named Chelsea Player of the Year by supporters.
Kante’s game evolved during his time at Stamford Bridge and he played in a more advanced midfield role en route to Chelsea winning the 2019 Europa League. The Frenchman, despite nursing an injury, starred in the final in Baku as Arsenal were beaten.
An injury-impacted 2019/20 was overcome the following season, which ended with Chelsea being crowned as European champions for the second time. Kante was extraordinary in the knockout stages, winning player-of-the-match awards in ties against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and after Manchester City were beaten in the final.
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N’Golo Kante is the latest high-profile footballer to move to Saudi Arabia, following Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Ruben Neves of Wolves is also expected to join the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal.
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N’Golo Kante Leaves Chelsea To Join Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad

Real Madrid Football Club has announced the termination of captain Karim Benzema’s contract by mutual agreement. In an official statement seen by Pindula News, the La Liga giants described the French international as “one of our greatest legends.”
Benzema joined our club in 2009 at the age of 21 and has been a fundamental player in this golden age of the club’s history. Benzema has won 25 titles during the fourteen seasons, a record number for any Real Madrid player. The club said:
<blockquote>
Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.
Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player 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 age of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has represented our badge and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record number for any Real Madrid player: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 King’s Cups and 4 Spanish Super Cups.
Karim Benzema is the current UEFA Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, as well as being included in the FIFA FIFPRO XI and winning the Pichichi Trophy 2022. Awards received after one of the most extraordinary seasons in our history, especially in the Champions League, in which our captain played some memorable matches that contributed to Real Madrid winning their 14th European Cup in Paris, being the top scorer of the competition with 15 goals.
Karim Benzema is the fifth player who has worn our shirt the most times with 647 appearances, and is Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer with 353 goals. He is also Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer in both La Liga and the European Cup. He is also the fourth top scorer in the history of the Champions League and the fourth top scorer in the history of La Liga.
Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.
Madridistas and all the fans all over the world alike have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.
Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we wish him and all his family all the best in this new stage of his life.
Next Tuesday 6 June, at 12:00pm (CEST), an institutional act of homage and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid Sport City, which will be attended by our president, Florentino Pérez.
</blockquote>
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Real Madrid Announce The Termination Of Karim Benzema's Contract

UEFA has announced Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema as the winner of the Player of the Year while Carlo Ancelotti was named Coach of the Year for the previous season. Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Player of the Year.
The title brings Benzema one step closer to his expected triumph in the prestigious Ballon d’Or on Oct. 17. The Real Madrid forward was incredible last season, scoring 42 goals between La Liga and the Champions League, leading his club to a famous double.
The 34-year-old, who also helped France to UEFA Nations League success, held off competition from club-mate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
While, in past years, UEFA has also presented individual position-specific awards, with the Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, and Best Forward, the football body said those awards have been scrapped. 
It is not immediately clear whether those awards have been eliminated permanently or just for this season.
Carlo Ancelotti led Real Madrid to the club’s record 14th Champions League crown en route to a domestic &amp; continental double.
Ancelotti is the only coach in history to have won four Champions League titles, twice with AC Milan and now twice with Real Madrid. He also previously won the competition twice as a player with AC Milan.
The awards were announced during the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Istanbul.
<h2>Votes for players:</h2>
<blockquote>
1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid &amp; France) – 523 points 
2 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City &amp; Belgium) – 122 points 
3 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid &amp; Belgium) – 118 points 
4 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern, now Barcelona &amp; Poland) – 54 points 
5 Luka Modrić (Real Madrid &amp; Croatia) – 52 points 
6 Sadio Mané (Liverpool, now Bayern &amp; Senegal) – 51 points 
7 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool &amp; Egypt) – 46 points 
8 Kylian Mbappé (Paris &amp; France) – 25 points 
9 Vinícius Junior (Real Madrid &amp; Brazil) – 21 points 
10 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool &amp; Netherlands) – 19 points
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<h2>Other 2021/22 award winners</h2>
i). Women’s Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman 
ii). President’s Award: Arrigo Sacchi
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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema Wins The UEFA Men's Player Of The Year Award

French international footballer, Karim Benzema has said France’s 2-1 victory against Spain in the Nations League final is something he desired. 

Benzema equalised for France before Kylian Mbappe fired a contentious winner as France came from behind to beat Spain to become the second team to win the Nations League.
The Real Madrid captain, who returned to the international fold before Euro 2020 in the summer, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58859225">told French television channel M6:</a>
<blockquote>
I really wanted to win a trophy with France, and now it’s done.
We showed strength of character because this team is very strong, never gives up and we have proven it today.
It is the sign of a great team not to panic, to be patient and to wait for the right opportunity.
</blockquote>
Spain had taken the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, who shrugged off defender Dayot Upamecano to beat Hugo Lloris.
Lloris produced two late saves to ensure victory for the world champions.
Didier Deschamps’ side’s resilience was on full display again as Benzema cut in on his right foot to curl the ball over Simon, less than two minutes after Oyarzabal’s opener for Spain.
And even though France had less possession (36%), they constantly looked a threat on the counter-attack as Mbappe struck the decisive. 
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>

Benzema Speaks On Nations League Victory Against Spain

Zimbabwean international striker, Tino Kadewere, who plies his trade for French Ligue 1 giants Lyon has responded to Karim Benzema’s motivational tweet.
Kadewere said he would have scored more goals had he seen the tweet before the match, unfortunately, he has no Twitter account.
Karim Benzema had posted on Twitter wishing his former club, Lyon and Tino Kadewere in particular, good luck in their match against St Etienne. He said:
<blockquote>Lyonnais tonight you can make a whole city proud and happy. We are all behind you, and Tino keep making your dreams come true.</blockquote>
The former Harare City forward scored a brace in the fierce derby taking his goal-scoring tally in his debut season in Ligue 1 to 9.
After the match, Kadewere said he had been touched by Benzema’s support and reaffirmed his intention of playing alongside the Madrid star striker one day. He said:
<blockquote>Unfortunately, I don’t have Twitter, but if I had seen this before the game, then I’m sure I would have scored more goals because getting a tweet from such a big player and someone I look up to really gives me motivation, so I’m really happy that one of the strikers that made me sign for Lyon is following my progress and happy with what I’m doing. That gives me confidence also and I really want to thank him for the belief and the support.
Play with Karim Benzema at OL or join him in Madrid? Regardless, playing with him would be a dream come true.</blockquote>
Kadewere has previously stated his desire to emulate Benzema, who is regarded as a Lyon hero after he scored 43 Ligue 1 goals for the club before his departure to Real Madrid in 2009.
<blockquote>I am on social media to see how he lives, trains. To be honest, that is one of the big reasons I signed for Lyon. My career is on the right track, but I don’t have to rest. I’m in a big club, one of the best in the world, but if I keep going, why not go even higher? You never know, one day, I might be like Benzema.</blockquote>
Lyon’s emphatic win over their local rivals ensured they stayed two points behind leading duo Paris Saint-Germain and Lille after 21 matches.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/01/tino-receives-benzema-backing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

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