Karim Benzema’s decision to leave Real Madrid after 14 trophy-laden years was a surprise, manager Carlo Ancelotti said, but insisted that the Ballon d’Or winner has earned the right to choose. The 35-year-old striker will exit Real as a free agent in the close season, with the Frenchman linked with a big-money move to Saudi…

MADRID—Karim Benzema struck yet again against Chelsea, and Real Madrid is a step closer to eliminating the English club for the second straight season in the Champions League. Vinícius Júnior thrived with two assists and Marco Asensio also scored in Madrid’s 2–0 win in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 12, in…

PARIS—France and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has dropped his appeal against a conviction for complicity in blackmail in a sex-tape case that rocked French soccer, his lawyer said Saturday. The Versailles court gave Benzema a one-year suspended jail sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros ($80,000) in last year’s trial, convicting him of involvement…

In the first leg of the European “Champions League” (UEFA) quarterfinals, Karim Benzema scored another hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 3–1 victory over Chelsea F.C., at Stamford Bridge, London on April 6. Frenchman Benzema, repeated his three-goal performance from Madrid’s elimination of Paris Saint Germain in the second leg 3–1 (3–2 aggregate) on March 9. Benzema has scored…