MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 22: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Alfredo de Stefano on May 22, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors

Real Madrid's Benzema tests positive for COVID-19

Agence France-Presse
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Denis Doyle / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Madrid, July 23, 2021 (AFP) - Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has tested positive for Covid-19, the Spanish club announced on Friday without providing further details.

Since joining Real in 2009, the 33-year-old Frenchman has scored nearly 300 goals for the Madrid club. He was also a member of the France squad at the recent Euro 2020.

"Real Madrid announce that our player Karim Benzema has tested positive for Covid-19," the club said in a one-line statement.

Several Real Madrid players were infected during the season just ended, including ex-captain Sergio Ramos, who has since left for Paris Saint-Germain, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal.

Club president Florentino Perez and former coach Zinedine Zidane were also infected.

The announcement of Benzema's infection comes as cases have risen sharply in several countries, including Spain and France, due to the Delta variant.

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