Karim Benzema spoke on the occasion of the announcement of his signing for three years in Saudi Arabia, at Al-Ittihad Club.
Officially a player of Al-Ittihad since the announcement on Tuesday of his recruitment for three years (until 2026), Karim Benzema reserved his first words for the media of the Saudi club. “I can’t wait to experience a new football league in a different country. Al-Ittihad Club has an extraordinary history, incredibly passionate fans and great football ambitions to become a force in Asia after winning the championship,” said the 35-year-old French striker first.
“I had the chance to accomplish extraordinary things in my career and to achieve everything I could in Spain and in Europe, added the Ballon d’Or. I think the time has come for a new challenge and realize a new project. Whenever I have visited Saudi Arabia, I have always felt such warmth and love from the fans and the people. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and, with them, to help this extraordinary club and football in Saudi Arabia reach new milestones.”
“Ronaldo shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to progress”
“It’s a new challenge for me, a new life and I can’t wait to start training. I will do everything to win trophies, to score, to show my talent, to satisfy the fans, the club, the President, everyone. It’s a good league and there are a lot of good players. Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to progress. I’m here to win, as I I’ve done in Europe. I look forward to seeing you in Jeddah,” he concluded.
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After 14 years of conquests at Real Madrid, where he notably won the Champions League five times, the French international (97 caps, 37 goals) opted for an end to his career in the wealthy Saudi Pro League supported by the Sovereign Fund. (FIS), which relies in particular on “soft power”, geopolitical influence, through sport. In recent days, a contract of 200 million euros for two seasons had been mentioned by the Spanish press. The French finally signed for three years, without the amount being disclosed.
Like Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema will be the overwhelming star of a squad featuring Egyptian internationals Ahmed Hegazy and Angolan Helder Costa, trained by the former manager of FC Porto or Tottenham, the Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo.