Karim Benzema Presents at Al-Ittihad Club in Saudi Arabia: His Reasons for Leaving Real Madrid

Al-Ittihad Club presents Karim Benzema – Photo: / Getty Images

In an almost grotesque ceremony, Karim Benzema was presented on Thursday as the new figurehead of the Al-Ittihad Club. Even before his presentation, he explained his decision to change.

“I feel good, I’m happy to come to a mythical club. It will be a new challenge, a new life and I can’t wait to start training,” says Karim Benzema on the club’s channel. “It’s a top club in Saudi Arabia, with a lot of passion from the fans and a lot of trophies. Why Saudi Arabia? I’m Muslim, it’s a Muslim country and I want to live there.”

The video of Benzema’s first words as an Al-Ittihad Club player was released ahead of his presentation. And it couldn’t have been more pompous. Benzema was presented on Wednesday in the stadium, which was filled with over 60,000 people.

He was even presented with the Ballon d’Or, which he won due to an outstanding 2021/22 season, on a stage. The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is also playing in Saudi Arabia shows that Saudi Arabia is becoming more and more important on the world football stage, according to Benzema, who will earn “only” around 50 million euros a year in the future.

Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years – Photo: Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez / Shutterstock.com

In comparison to other stars who are currently being lured into the desert or are already playing there, that’s actually not much. Ronaldo earns around 200 million euros a year, a Lionel Messi was reportedly lured with 1.5 billion euros for three seasons. And Benzema? He already feels that he is in good hands in Saudi Arabia.

“It is important to be in a Muslim country”

“It’s different from Europe, but I’ve been to Saudi Arabia and I feel comfortable. It’s a beautiful Muslim country and that’s where I want to be. It’s important to be in a Muslim country where I’m already feel that people love me and that will give me a new life,” said the ex-Real Madrid superstar.

“I’m lucky to be in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is very close, I’m a believer, so it’s important for me. That’s where I belong, that’s where I will feel most comfortable,” adds Benzema. “When I spoke to my family, they were all very happy, they will all come. I know our place is in Saudi Arabia,” adds the former Real Madrid captain.