UK TREND : Benzema joins Saudi champions Al-Ittihad

AUK Editorial 7 June 2023

After departing from Real Madrid, Ballon d’Or recipient Karim Benzema has reached an agreement for a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, the reigning champions of Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old French striker, who accumulated an impressive collection of 25 trophies during his 14-year tenure at Madrid, including five Champions League titles and four La Liga triumphs, was granted permission to leave his contract a year ahead of schedule.

Benzema expressed his positive outlook on the league, saying, “It’s a competitive league with numerous talented players. Cristiano Ronaldo, a friend of mine, is already playing there, which demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s continuous progress in raising its footballing standards. My objective remains the same – to win, just as I did in Europe.” Al-Ittihad is currently under the management of former Wolves and Tottenham boss, Nuno Espirito Santo.

Benzema joins Saudi champions Al-Ittihad

🚨 BREAKING: @Benzema has reached an agreement with @ittihad_en and will continue his career in the Saudi Pro League 🇸🇦🤝 (per @FabrizioRomano) pic.twitter.com/ow0URRb3bk

— 433 (@433) June 5, 2023

Following this announcement, hashtags such as #Saudi and #Benzema have gained worldwide traction on Twitter. Fans have been jubilantly celebrating the news, attributing this development to the undeniable influence of Ronaldo.

Benzema & Ronaldo in the Saudi league before Al Nassr vs Alittihad kick off: pic.twitter.com/XYogLtVuh6

— 𝟲 🇨🇦 ¹⁴ (@Dr__Ignacio) June 6, 2023

It was revealed that Benzema secured a lucrative contract worth €100 million per year with Al-Ittihad Football Club in Saudi Arabia. This agreement follows a strategic move by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recognizes the importance of sports as a significant component in diversifying the country’s economy away from oil and expanding its tourism industry.

Karim Benzema (@Benzema) signs €100 Million per year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Football Club 🇸🇦 ⚽️

This deal comes after a shift by Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman making sports a key plank of diversifying the economy from oil, and opening up more to tourism pic.twitter.com/Kzadr9W2ME

— Muslim (@Muslim) June 6, 2023

Fans took to Twitter to highlight the evident shift in circumstances. Initially, some mocked Ronaldo when he predicted that the Saudi League would become one of the top five leagues in the next few years. However, the current situation speaks for itself, as the likes of Benzema, Messi, Son, Kante, Ramos, and numerous others are now being drawn to the league, largely influenced by Ronaldo’s impact.

People were laughing at Ronaldo for saying Saudi League will be top 5 leagues in the next couple of years.

Now they got the likes of Benzema, Messi, Son, Kante, Ramos and many more coming because of his influence 🐐 pic.twitter.com/tvo4icqp9z

— M (@madridfooty_) June 6, 2023

They expressed that Ronaldo paved the path for Benzema, Kante, and Messi to soon join the Saudi league, establishing himself as the enduring leader.

Ronaldo paved the Saudi way for Benzema , Kante and Messi soon , He will always be the leader pic.twitter.com/wyrG7Uhjs4

— Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) June 6, 2023

The remarkable impact of Cristiano Ronaldo was evident as fans observed that his presence in the Saudi league for just one season had already prompted the arrivals of Kante and Benzema, leading them to credit it as the “Goat influence.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has played in the Saudi League for one season and now Kante and Benzema are joining. The 🐐 influence

— 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 (@UtdEra_) June 6, 2023

It was widely acknowledged that Ronaldo brought about a significant transformation in the world of football, particularly in Saudi Arabia and throughout Asia. The presence of other prominent players being associated with the Saudi league is largely attributed to Cristiano’s pioneering move, which set the precedent.

Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly revolutionized football in Saudi Arabia & Asia at large…

See all the big names now linked to Saudi league; from Messi to Benzema, this would’ve never happened if Cristiano didn’t take the first BIG STEP.

— UG (@UgwunnaEjikem) June 6, 2023