Real Madrid’s New Captain Nmaed After Karim Benzema's Exit

• Real Madrid are in need of a new club captain following Karim Benzema's departure
• The Frenchman will leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of his contract this month
• Nacho Fernandez will reportedly be named the team's first-choice captain next season

Nacho Fernandez will reportedly be appointed as Real Madrid's new captain following the departure of Karim Benzema.

Benzema had been appointed vice-captain in 2021 following the departure of Sergio Ramos and was then promoted once Marcelo left the club last summer.

Multiple reports have now suggested that Nacho is close to signing a new contract that will keep him with the La Liga giants until 2024.

The 33-year-old has been with Los Blancos since his youth and was reportedly due to become a free agent at the end of June.

But Bleacher Report indicates the Spanish defender has now made a U-turn and will extend his stay under Carlo Ancelotti.

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Nacho’s renewal is a blow for Inter Milan, who reportedly wanted to sign him on a free transfer this summer. The 2023 Champions League finalists had offered the Spaniard a three-year deal.

The other three captains on the four-man list would be Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos.

Who is Nacho Fernandez?

Born in Madrid, Nacho signed for Real Madrid's academy at the age of 11. He started playing regularly for Real Madrid's Castilla before making his first-team debut in 2011 under Jose Mourinho.

In 2013, he was promoted to the senior squad's permanent roster, 90 min reported.

Although a centre-back by trade, Nacho has spent much of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu outfit as a utility defender, often plugging holes anywhere across the back four - he has played multiple times at right-back and left-back, as well as in the middle just this calendar year.

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Why Nacho Fernandez?

Nacho, who is the longest-serving player currently, may take on a more leadership-like role both on and off the field. Not a starter if everyone is available, he made only 18 La Liga starts in 2022/23, per Soccerway.

He was an unused substitute on nine occasions. It was a similar story in the Champions League, where he only played eight minutes beyond the last 16.

Benzema leaves Real Madrid

In related news, Sports Brief reported that Karim Benzema has left Real Madrid after 14 years, the Spanish club confirmed on Sunday morning.

The 35-year-old joined Los Blancos from his French hometown club of Lyon in 2009, and made 657 appearances since, scoring 353 goals.

The ex-France international won La Liga title on four occasions with the Spanish giants and lifted the UEFA Champions League five times.

Benzema seeks Ronaldo’s advice

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Benzema is weighing all the options after being offered a massive €400 million deal to join Al-Ittihad this summer on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old forward has spent 14 years at Real Madrid but could leave the 14-time Champions League winners when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Benzema has now spoken to his former teammate at the Spanish side, Cristiano Ronaldo, before he decides whether to accept the offer from the Saudi Arabian club.