Karim Benzema's Saudi Arabia wages 'match' huge amount Cristiano Ronaldo is earning

Real Madrid have confirmed Karim Benzema will leave the club this summer after 14 glittering years at the Santiago Bernabeu, as the French forward is poised to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

Karim Benzema is set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia as the world's highest-paid footballers after his Real Madrid exit was confirmed.

The French forward, 35, will depart Madrid this summer after 14 years with the club, during which time he has won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns, as well as claiming the Ballon d'Or last year.

 Benzema's contract expires at the end of June and he has opted not to take up the offer of an extension to instead move to the Saudi Pro League in the Middle East.

He is expected to pen a two-year deal with newly crowned champions Al-Ittihad worth a whopping £345million. That will see Benzema take home a staggering £172m per year - the same as Ronaldo is earning at rivals Al-Nassr. Al-Ittihad beat runners-up Al-Nassr to the title by five points this season.

Ronaldo and Benzema know each other well from their time together at Madrid and the Portuguese striker has spoke in glowing terms about the potential growth of the Saudi Pro League. "The big players are all welcome," he said recently. "If this happens, the league will improve.

"In my opinion, if the Saudi league continues its current trajectory for the next five years, it has the potential to become one of the top five leagues in the world."

Signing Ballon d'Or holder Benzema is a major coup for the league, particularly as Madrid were hopeful of keeping their talisman for at least one more season. A statement on their website confirmed the news of his impending departure on Sunday, reading: "Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.

"Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.

"Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.

"Madridistas and all the fans all over the world alike have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football. Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life."

Madrid are set to pay tribute to Benzema in a farewell ceremony on Tuesday.