JEDDAH: Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on Thursday (Jun 8), a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. Fireworks and flame-throwers greeted Benzema, wearing their black and yellow kit wit
JEDDAH: Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on Thursday , a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi.
Benzema joins Portugal idol Cristiano Ronaldo as the latest superstar to join the Saudi Pro League, which has a hit-list of high-profile targets, according to a source close to the negotiations. Benzema, who won five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid, said he was hoping for more silverware with the Saudi champions.
The conservative monarchy, often targeted over its human rights record, bought English club Newcastle United in 2021, the same year it hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix.In January, Ronaldo, 37, joined Riyadh club Al-Nassr in a two-and-a-half-year deal said to total more than 400 million euros. No figure has been released for Benzema.
Supporters, many wearing Al-Ittihad colours, created a festive atmosphere at the unveiling, waving yellow flags and placards saying"Benzema 9" and"Je t'aime Benzema" .
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Benzema's deal raises questions about future of Saudi league top scorerThe arrival of Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema at Saudi Arabia champions Al-Ittihad may not be all positive as the deal puts the future of Saudi Pro League top scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah in doubt. On Tuesday (Jun 6), Al-Ittihad signed Real Madrid's second all-time top scorer, with 354 goals in a trophy-l
Read more »
Benzema fever hits Jeddah ahead of Al-Ittihad presentationSaudi champions Al-Ittihad sold more than 56,000 tickets for Karim Benzema's presentation at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in only a few hours after sales were announced on Wednesday. The France striker and Ballon d'Or winner signed a three-season contract with the Saudi Pro League club on Tu
Read more »
‘I’m going to Miami’: Lionel Messi confirms move to MLSLOS ANGELES – Lionel Messi on Wednesday announced that he intends to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris St Germain and snubbing a lucrative contract offer in Saudi Arabia. Messi, who played his final...
Read more »
Barcelona wish Messi good luck in 'league with fewer demands'Barcelona wished Lionel Messi good luck after the Argentina great expressed his desire to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami on Wednesday, despite receiving a 'proposal' to return to his former club.Barcelona said in a statement that Messi's father and agent had informed the club on Monday of his deci
Read more »
Messi's move to Inter Miami sends ticket prices soaring 1,034%Lionel Messi's announcement that he plans to take his talents to South Beach sent prices for Inter Miami tickets on the secondary market into the stratosphere on Wednesday as fans clamoured for a chance to see the Argentine great play on U.S. soil. Ticket prices surged following reports early on Wednesday
Read more »