After 14 seasons and 25 trophies (the most in Madrid’s history along with Marcelo), Karim Benzema suddenly decided to end his fairytale with Real and go to Saudi Arabia, where he signed his three-year contract for Al-Ittihad and talked of reasons for a surprise switch. Nothing indicated that the striker would go, especially after there were talks of another extension. And when an offer from Al-Ittihad arrived, 220 million euros neto for two seasons, it was obvious that a 35-year-old striker decided to earn his last big bucks before retiring. After all, he had ‘only’ 28 million in Madrid…Karim Benzema’s presentation at Al-Ittihad is absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/xv9150P2Xe— TC (@totalcristiano) June 8, 2023 But, at the official press conference today, the French international revealed the real reasons for signing with Al-Ittihad. Being a devoted Muslim, living in a Muslim country seems to be his priority, not 220 million euros.”It’s going to be a new challenge, a new life and I can’t wait to start training. Above all, it’s a Muslim country, which is beautiful, and that’s where I want to be. It is important to be in a Muslim country where I already feel that people love me, it will allow me to have a new life. I want to speak the Arabic language fluently, for me it’s important. There are lots of other things. I’m lucky to be in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is close. I’m a believer so it’s important for me. I’m in my place, it’s important. is where I’m going to feel the best. When I talked to my family, they were all very happy, they’re all going to come” said Benzema.Benzema admits he expected to retire at Madrid, but…The former Lyon striker also talked about the Saudi league and his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing for the rival Al-Nassr.“I was proud to play in Madrid and finish like this. I hope to bring my football to my new and do everything to win titles. I like to win titles. It’s a new story, I would like to take this club even higher, even if it is already high. This is a club that deserves to be to be even higher, the stadium is exceptional and the fans have this passion that makes players want to be better. There’s Cristiano Ronaldo, a friend, it’s good to have him back and it also shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to rise more and more globally. That’s what’s important. It’s important to build Saudi football to have another global impact. You have to push and bring back with me everything I was able to do in Europe. I’m here to build the country and do great things” said Benzema.##NAJAVA_MECA_7306292##
