RIYADH – Karim Benzema, the Ballon d’Or winner from Real Madrid, is set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia as he signs a lucrative three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, a prominent club based in Jeddah.
The news was confirmed by the club on Tuesday, who expressed their excitement on Twitter, stating, “Benzema is here. A new tiger will roar. Welcome to Ittihad!”
Benzema’s move to the Gulf kingdom follows Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr from Manchester United after last year’s World Cup.
Another football superstar, Lionel Messi, who recently announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, has also been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that senior officials from Al Hilal, another Saudi Arabian club, have flown to France with the intention of finalizing a deal for Messi.
The Argentinean maestro, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, is expected to meet with the Saudi delegation, including his father and agent Jorge Messi, to discuss the prospective signing.
This development regarding Benzema’s transfer comes shortly after Real Madrid announced the departure of the 35-year-old striker, who had spent an impressive 14 seasons with the club.
The decision came just a day after coach Carlo Ancelotti publicly stated that there was “no doubt” about Benzema’s future remaining in the Spanish capital.
Benzema initially joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Lyon, a renowned Ligue 1 side.
Throughout his tenure at Madrid, he made a staggering 648 appearances for the club, ranking second on Real’s all-time goalscoring list with an impressive tally of 354 goals, surpassed only by Ronaldo.
Karim Benzema trail of success
During his time with Real Madrid, Benzema achieved remarkable success, winning five Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copas del Rey.
In the 2021-2022 season, he played a pivotal role in leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory, which earned him the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
However, injuries plagued him in the subsequent season, forcing him to miss France’s World Cup campaign in Qatar due to a thigh problem.
Benzema bid farewell to his teammates and club officials at Real Madrid’s training ground during a poignant goodbye ceremony on Tuesday.
Reflecting on his departure, he expressed mixed emotions, stating, “It hurts me, because I had a dream in my head – to sign for Madrid and finish at Madrid. But sometimes life gives you other opportunities.”
Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance its football scene, has compiled a list of more than 10 players who have either won the Champions League or the World Cup, in an effort to entice them to join its league.
According to a source involved in the negotiations, this list includes notable names such as Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Croatia’s midfield maestro, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and N’Golo Kante, the esteemed French midfielder.
All three players are in the twilight of their careers.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, aspires to host the World Cup in either 2030 or 2034.
By investing in sports and attracting renowned players, the nation aims to reshape its image, often criticized by human rights groups as “sportswashing.”
As football continues to captivate global audiences, Saudi Arabia’s foray into securing top talent reflects the country’s ambition to become a prominent destination for footballing icons, while simultaneously pursuing its broader sporting goals.
