Karim Benzema claims that he always wanted to live in Saudi Arabia whereas explaining his reasoning at the back of involving to Al-Ittihad in June.
After 14 years at Real Madrid wherein he obtained endless trophies and the 2022 Ballon d’Or, Benzema made up our minds to move to the Saudi Professional League as a free agent in the summer season. Signing a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, the Frenchman is happy to be residing in the Center East and helping the standard of the league regain.
“Well with everything I’ve made and gained with Real Madrid, I contemplate it was for me the supreme moment to are attempting a original challenge,” Benzema told the Saudi Professional League’s media.
“For a really long time even ahead of football, I always wanted to arrive right here. Also, it be a Muslim country. Straight away I felt this fancy for me. On and off the pitch I really feel correct.
“This country welcomed me with open arms. I really feel the fancy of the of us right here so obviously that makes me happy.”
Within the gap months of the 2023/24 season, Benzema has managed three goals and two assists in seven starts in the league, as the Saudi champions flounder somewhat in the table. Al-Ittihad take a seat fourth, whereas Neymar’s Al-Hilal are top and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are third.
Accurate four facets separate the top five after nine games, nonetheless, with a lot of time left in the campaign for issues to flip considerably.
Regardless, Benzema is happy with the standard of football in Saudi Arabia, and is assured that his presence, alongside many other family names, will assist the game regain considerable extra in the status.
“I really want to assist Saudi football develop,” he added. “It [Al Ittihad] was a project that was apt starting to burst from in all places so from my aspect I wanted to be part of the story. That’s the reason why I came right here.
“I’m really bowled over and pleased about the stage of the game right here. Really bowled over because in Europe we don’t watch considerable football from right here. Nowadays we are watching extra and extra because of the mountainous names they signed.”
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