Football: Benzema dismisses Real quit rumour

Says he was happier than ever in the Spanish capital.

MADRID: Real Madrid’s French international striker Karim Benzema insisted he is not interested in a move away from the Spanish club next season. The 23-year-old initially struggled to impress following his €35m move from Lyon in 2009 before settling in at the club where he has a contract until 2015. After a difficult start to the season, when he was criticised by coach Jose Mourinho for his lack of ambition, the French striker has managed to impose himself in the absence of the injured Gonzalo Higuain. And despite being the subject of a much-speculated move to Juventus, the Frenchman, who scored 26 goals in all competitions this year, compared to nine last season, said he was happier than ever in the Spanish capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2011.