Karim Benzema extends contract with Real Madrid until 2021

French forward Karim Benzema expressed his happiness on Thursday after signing his contract extension with Real Madrid until 2021. He stated that he wants to retire with the Spanish club and that he does not give up on returning to the French national team.

"I like Real Madrid's style of play, so of course, I want to retire here because for me there is no other club like Real Madrid," said Benzema in a press conference after signing his new two-year commitment.

"I think this club will be my last club, now I am almost 30 years old and I feel very good," added the French forward, whose previous contract was set to expire in 2019.

Benzema, who joined the white club in 2009, is already part of the club's history, being the eighth all-time top scorer with 181 goals and the fourth all-time leading scorer in the Champions League for Real Madrid.

However, his style of play has sometimes earned him criticism from those who see him as a low-scoring forward.

"What am I lacking? It depends on how you see football. For me, a forward is not just goals, they have to participate in the game, create space for others, provide assists, contribute to the game because we are talking about football, not just goals," said Karim Benzema.

"A modern forward has to have many other facets like passing, movement, assists, in addition to goals," insisted Benzema.

The French forward admitted, however, that criticism helps him improve.

"Criticism is part of my life and it allows me to reach the highest level. I know that there is a lot of criticism in this club," he said.

"I am here to work and when people criticize me, it's because they expect more from me, so I look for what else I can do and work harder for that," explained the French forward, who wants to "keep giving his best on the field" with the idea of being able to return to the French national team someday.

"Of course, I believe in it (being able to return to the national team). A player cannot give up, but it is not an obsession either," said Benzema.

"Of course, the French national team is always in my mind (pointing to his head), but I give everything on the field and then there is a coach who chooses," he added.