There was no doubt about it, but Saudi Arabia pulled out all the stops to properly welcome Karim Benzema, presented Thursday in front of 60,000 supporters of Al-Ittihad, his new club in Jeddah. Music at full volume, light effects, pyrotechnic show, clip to the glory of the attacker and the face of the player projected in 3D mapping in the sky, preceded the arrival of the star on the lawn where a giant KB9 had been drawn with lights.
The Frenchman, who has signed up for three years with the Saudi club and an amount that has not been revealed, then addressed the supporters in English to thank them, promising to lead the club “to the highest level “. Before slipping in an “Assalam o aleikum!” ” (Good morning). The 35-year-old then held up his Golden Ball, before taking a lap of honor by sending autographed balloons to the public.
“Why did I choose Al-Ittihad? It’s a club with a lot of values. It is a club which has just won (the national title), which is still progressing, ”explained earlier in French, the center-forward during his presentation press conference. “I like the ambition and character of the fans. That’s why I chose this club. The Saudi Arabian fans and club are warm. I have seen, in recent days, a lot of madness. It really touched me. I hope to give them back this warmth on the ground, ”he added in front of an audience of several dozen journalists.
“I won a lot of things in Europe. I signed here with a lot of ambition, to bring my experience, hoping to win a lot of titles, because I’m hungry. I still want to play and show what I can do on the pitch. To get the club where it should be, that is to say at the very top, ”said the former Real Madrid captain.
In a video published by his new club during the day, Benzema also confided that this choice was also dictated by his personal convictions. “I’m a Muslim, it’s a Muslim country and I want to live there. It’s different from Europe but I’ve been to Saudi Arabia before. I feel good. Above all, it’s a Muslim country, which is beautiful, and that’s where I want to be. It’s important to be in a Muslim country where I already feel that people love me, it will allow me to have a new life. I want to speak the Arabic language fluently, for me it is important. There are plenty of other things. I am lucky to be in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is near. I’m a believer so it’s important to me. I’m in my place, that’s where I’m going to feel the best. When I spoke with my family, they were all very happy, they will all come. I know our place is in Saudi Arabia. »