Club President Reveals French International Rejected Manchester United For Real Madrid

Olympique Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed that their former player Karim Benzema rejected Manchester United’s offer to make the switch to Real Madrid.

Aulas told Canal+ that it was Benzema’s dream to play for the Spanish giants that made him prefer the Bernabeu to Old Trafford as his destination, so it was an offer he couldn’t refuse, “For a long time he wanted to play one day at Real Madrid and when operations began to fall into place, we did not object.

“The proposal was superior to Manchester United’s but he was given the opportunity to go where he wanted.”

With Gonzalo Higuain’s departure last summer the spotlight was going to be on the Frenchman to deliver. Benzema did not disappoint as he scored 24 goals last season and helped Real in lifting the Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

The 26-year old had come under heavy criticism last year when he went 14-games without scoring for his country. Things were hard in the final season of Jose Mourinho’s tenure as they went trophyless and the Benzema bared the brunt of some fans. The Lyon president commented on the criticism he received, “I am very happy for him. This is the best striker in La Liga and one of the best in the world.

“The criticism he has received are part of the life of a professional football player, but we had to be above it all.”

The Frenchman scored 117 times in 246 appearances for the club since joining them in 2009. He has started the season well and his 5 goals in 11 appearances looks inferior in front of Cristiano Ronaldo who has been in incredible form.

As for Manchester United, they signed Michael Owen and Mame Biram Diouf after Benzema’s snub. Owen had a decent career at United while Diouf failed to have an impact at the club.