Who is Real Madrid's new captain after Benzema exit?

The Frenchman left Real Madrid to continue his career in Saudi Arabia ahead of the next season.

Nacho Fernandez will sign a new one-year contract at Real Madrid, becoming the team’s new captain after Karim Benzema’s departure.

An unexpected move to Al-Ittihad saw Benzema leave Santiago Bernabeu after 14 years. The veteran forward’s departure raised questions over who will wear the armband in the next season.

Nacho’s current deal ends this summer, but the 33-year-old has confirmed he will stay for at least another season at the club.

“I’ve decided to stay at Real Madrid. There are offers as always, but I want to stay one more year, I’m so happy about it,” he said on Sunday.

Having spent his entire career at Santiago Bernabeu, Nacho is a fan-favourite at the club. The Real Madrid supporters chanted his name in the final game of the season, backing the defender to stay for another season.

Nacho, who has made 318 appearances for the club, stays above Luka Modric in the captaincy hierarchy. Real Madrid’s third-choice skipper is Dani Carvajal, who has played 374 games for the Blanco since making his senior debut in 2013.

Handing over the captain’s armband is the least of Real Madrid’s concerns after Benzema’s exit. The club have intensified their search to sign a new striker in recent weeks. But their efforts to bring Harry Kane to Santiago Bernabeu as their number one target have failed so far.