The French striker still has a year left in his deal, but the option to leave the club after the end of that season is real.

The end of an era could be right around the corner for Real Madrid, as Karim Benzema could leave the club once his contract comes to an end in 2022, according to a report issued by Spanish newspaper Marca.

The French ace has been tempted by Los Blancos with a contract extension, but the former Olympique Lyon striker is yet to put pen to paper to the deal despite Zinedine Zidane's desire to keep him around.

Curiously, the reason Benzema has given the club not to sign a new deal has to do with his fitness levels. The Frenchman believes that making such a commitment to the club would not be ideal if he is not fit to last an entire season without getting injured.

The French star has scored 265 goals and has handed out 141 assists since his arrival to the club in 2009. On top of that, the footballer has had a hand in 19 titles with Los Blancos. Benzema's exit could mark the end of an era that saw Real Madrid win four UEFA Champions League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Keylor Navas, and Sergio Ramos, among others.