Ballon d’Or striker’ Karim Benzema has officially joined Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
The Al Ittihad club announced the news of Benzema’s joining through social media (SNS) on the 7th (Korean time). His contract is until 2026. According to transfer market expert Fabricio Romano, it is a 2+1 year contract. It is known that Benzema received a whopping 400 million euros (evil 550 billion won) during this period.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad’s English version of SNS posted Benzema’s impressions of joining. “I am excited to experience a new football league in another country,” said Benzema through the club. “Al Ittihad is a club with an amazing history and passionate fans. I thought this was an opportunity to take on a new challenge.”
Benzema added: “I will show my skills, score goals and give everything for trophies to please the fans and the club. I came to win just like I did in Europe.”
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema has spent most of his career with Real Madrid (Spain). He left his name in the club’s history by posting 354 goals and 165 assists in 648 matches for Real Madrid alone. In particular, in the scoring category, he is second in history, surpassing club legend Raul Gonzalez, and ranks first in assist. Following this, he lifted a total of 25 championship trophies, including five European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) titles. This is tied for first place in the team’s history.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Benzema had automatically extended his contract with Real after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022, but it is known that he has accepted a new challenge. According to 90min the day before, Benzema said, “I wanted to retire from Real Madrid,” but said, “Sometimes life brings new opportunities. I will always be a Real Madrid family.”먹튀검증
The club also thanked the legend for the departing Benzema, saying, “Benzema’s behavior and professionalism set an example for the club and represented the values of our club. And now Benzema has the right to decide his future.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continued its aggressive investment by embracing Benzema following Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nasr) earlier. Fans are paying attention to who will be the next star player to join.