Author: Amrit Santlani
After securing his departure from Real Madrid, Karim Benzema is looking to add to his glittering career by joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract. The former Ballon d’Or winner left his beloved club, Real Madrid, after a 14-year spell with the La Liga giants, where he won 25 trophies, the most with fellow legend Marcelo.
The 35-year-old decided to seek a new challenge and joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer. He has scored a total of 354 goals for Real Madrid, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 450 goals, and the two legends will face each other next season.
Ronaldo had already joined Al-Nassr in January following his departure from Manchester United.
Benzema, however, has made it clear that he is going to Saudi Arabia with the aim of winning more awards.
“It’s a good league and there are a lot of good players,” said the Frenchman after his presentation.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to improve its standards. I’m here to win, like I did in Europe. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve incredible things in my career and do everything I can in Spain and Europe. Now I feel the time is right for a new challenge and project” he added.
After 648 appearances for Madrid, who he joined in 2009, he scored a goal from the penalty spot in his last game before leaving, helping the La Liga side to a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao.
Benzema will probably be joined by fellow Frenchman N’golo Kante, who is being linked with the Saudi Arabian club. The Chelsea midfielder has reportedly agreed to the transfer and is set to become the third big name to arrive in the Gulf.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which owns Newcastle United, took control of four major clubs on Monday, including Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, who are keen to sign Lionel Messi, who has decided to end his time at Paris Saint-Germain.