Karim Benzema Is Set To Join Saudi Arabian Football Club Al-Ittihad

it's official

Looks like we’ll be seeing former teammates Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo face off against each other sooner than we thought as it has just been revealed that the Algerian-French forward is set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, the rival team of Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo is currently playing. The news comes just one day after the announcement confirming that the 35-year-old athlete and reigning Ballon d’Or winner will be departing from Real Madrid, where he won 25 major trophies during his 14-year stint at Santiago Bernabeu, for the Saudi Pro League (SPL).

According to Saudi state-run television station, Al-Ekhbariya, the president of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad and his deputy were in the Spanish capital “to officially sign” Benzema in a “record transfer with Real Madrid.”

The former France international was offered a two-year contract with the current Saudi champions. Other reports suggest that he was offered an eye-watering amount of 400,000 million euros.

Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said in a released statement on Sunday that the club “cannot be happy about his farewell but we have to respect his decision.” Benzema has yet to make an official statement or comment regarding the potential move.

Lionel Messi is also wanted in Saudi Arabia, and has been offered more than $433 million a year by Al-Hilal. The iconic forward and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is preparing to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent this summer, and an emotional return to Barcelona has been speculated on, however, if he accepts Al-Hilal’s offer, it would make him the highest paid player on the planet.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious endeavor to elevate its domestic league, which has long been overlooked in the global soccer arena, is evident through the potential acquisition of three of the most high-profile football superstars. This move signifies the Kingdom’s determination to establish the country as a premier destination for exceptional talent. Benzema and Ronaldo are no doubt only the begining of the Saudi Pro League’s ambitious plans.

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