Views: 0
- Striker on a free after voiding one-year extension clause
- Saudi league also hopes to have Lionel Messi next season
Karim Benzema has signed documents to join the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after confirming his departure from Real Madrid. The former France international’s contract with the Saudi champions is understood to be for two years, with the option of a further season.
Benzema is available on a free after voiding the one-year extension clause he had in his Madrid deal. Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said on Sunday the club “cannot be happy about his farewell but we have to respect his decision”. Benzema received a huge wage offer to join Al-Ittihad, who beat Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, to the title last month.
Lionel Messi is also wanted in Saudi Arabia and has been offered more than £350m a year by Al-Hilal. Barcelona are trying to re-sign the Argentina international, who is due to decide on his future after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. Messi is a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia and was suspended by PSG last month after making what the club regarded as an unauthorised two-day visit to the country.
“Leo wants to return to Barça and I would also like him to return,” Messi’s father, Jorge, said in an interview with the Twitch channel Jijantes FC on Monday. Both parties, though, feel time is running out. Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, and Messi Sr are trying to see whether a solution can be found within the boundaries of Barcelona’s financial restrictions.
Benzema, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, won 25 major trophies in his 14 years with Madrid. Injuries restricted his appearances this season and caused him to miss the World Cup in Qatar but he started 33 games in La Liga and the Champions League, scoring 23 goals, including one in his final appearance on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao. The 35-year-old is due to give a farewell press conference in Madrid on Tuesday.
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund which owns Newcastle, the Public Investment Fund, is taking 75% stakes in four of the country’s clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.
Source:The Guardian,UK
The Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer is now done.
Following the striker’s final game for Real Madrid, Benzema has signed the main part of the contracts for his transfer to Al Ittihad. The Saudi Club made the offer to him prior to their game against Sevilla, and due to the immense financial compensation offered, it has emerged to be a deal that is simply too good to turn down for the number 9.
In their last game of the 2022/23 La Liga season, Benzema scored a penalty to make it 1-1. And he left the pitch to a hero’s reception in the 74th minute. He has already reached an agreement with the Saudi club, and will soon travel there to finalise the transfer.
Benzema has signed a contract until 2025 with the option for a further year. He will receive a massive financial compensation worth around €100 million, and will have almost complete influence over his image rights. Moreover, the player will also receive tax benefits and will also be accomodated in a luxurious space for him and his family.
The club captain received an emotional sendoff from the fans, and will make his stance clear in a press conference on June 6. The transfer could be announced the day after the press conference in order to be respectful with Real Madrid, and to put an end to speculation.
Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer confirmed: What’s next?
Following the Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Real Madrid will be looking into the transfer market to sign a replacement. The likes of Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino and Victor Osimhen have been linked with a transfer, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Frenchman arrived in the massive summer of 2009, when Madrid went on a spending spree to sign some of the best talents in the world.
He has played 643 games for Los Blancos and has become their second highest goalscorer of all-time, with 353 goals, only behind his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition, he is the club’s highest assist provider of all-time, with 165 to his name.
He has also tied the club record for the most trophies won at 25, alongside Marcelo. And having won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, he has truly risen to the top of club football. Now, he will be ending his illustrious chapter as one of the greatest strikers of Real Madrid to pursue a new challenge.
Benzema was often criticised for several reasons during his first few seasons with the club. But he eventually silenced his doubters and has now established himself as an icon for the history books.
The Karim Benzema Al Ittihad move will see the striker follow his former teammate, Ronaldo, as one of the top players to make the move to Saudi Arabia. The Gulf State has made massive financial offers to big names such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and more. And with their sports vision developing, more and more star players are expected to leave Europe to pursue the immense financial compensation presented by them.
The Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer is now done.
Following the striker’s final game for Real Madrid, Benzema has signed the main part of the contracts for his transfer to Al Ittihad. The Saudi Club made the offer to him prior to their game against Sevilla, and due to the immense financial compensation offered, it has emerged to be a deal that is simply too good to turn down for the number 9.
In their last game of the 2022/23 La Liga season, Benzema scored a penalty to make it 1-1. And he left the pitch to a hero’s reception in the 74th minute. He has already reached an agreement with the Saudi club, and will soon travel there to finalise the transfer.
Benzema has signed a contract until 2025 with the option for a further year. He will receive a massive financial compensation worth around €100 million, and will have almost complete influence over his image rights. Moreover, the player will also receive tax benefits and will also be accomodated in a luxurious space for him and his family.
The club captain received an emotional sendoff from the fans, and will make his stance clear in a press conference on June 6. The transfer could be announced the day after the press conference in order to be respectful with Real Madrid, and to put an end to speculation.
Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer confirmed: What’s next?
Following the Karim Benzema Al Ittihad transfer, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Real Madrid will be looking into the transfer market to sign a replacement. The likes of Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino and Victor Osimhen have been linked with a transfer, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Frenchman arrived in the massive summer of 2009, when Madrid went on a spending spree to sign some of the best talents in the world.
He has played 643 games for Los Blancos and has become their second highest goalscorer of all-time, with 353 goals, only behind his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition, he is the club’s highest assist provider of all-time, with 165 to his name.
He has also tied the club record for the most trophies won at 25, alongside Marcelo. And having won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, he has truly risen to the top of club football. Now, he will be ending his illustrious chapter as one of the greatest strikers of Real Madrid to pursue a new challenge.
Benzema was often criticised for several reasons during his first few seasons with the club. But he eventually silenced his doubters and has now established himself as an icon for the history books.
The Karim Benzema Al Ittihad move will see the striker follow his former teammate, Ronaldo, as one of the top players to make the move to Saudi Arabia. The Gulf State has made massive financial offers to big names such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and more. And with their sports vision developing, more and more star players are expected to leave Europe to pursue the immense financial compensation presented by them.
Daily Mail reports that:
Carlo Ancelotti was surprised by Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid exit
- Karim Benzema announced he was leaving Real Madrid on Sunday after 14 years
- He scored a penalty in his Bernabeu farewell, a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid
- Manager Carlo Ancelotti said French striker Benzema’s exit was a ‘surprise’
Carlo Ancelotti said he was surprised to see Karim Benzema leave Real Madrid at this time.
The long-serving player announced his exit from the club on Sunday, with rumours of a big-money move to Saudi Arabia widely touted.
The French striker scored a penalty in his last game for Real Madrid, before receiving a rapturous standing ovation when he was substituted off.
The match at the Berbabeu finished 1-1, with Atletic Bilbao holding the hosts to a draw despite Benzema’s 354th goal for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid manager Ancelotti said he was shocked with Benzema’s exit from the club.
He said: ‘It was a surprise, he thought it through. His decision is part of a process for this club that has begun to make a transition, we have time to think about what we are going to do.’
Ancelotti also revealed that they were only informed of Benzema’s decision on Sunday morning, after an early training session ahead of the afternoon kick-off – but that they would now begin the hunt for a replacement striker.
It was Benzema’s 31st goal of the season.
Real Madrid held onto second place in the LaLiga table, as Atletico Madrid missed out on the chance to leapfrog them on the final day as they also drew.
The Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly set to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad on a two-year deal worth around £345m. The club recently won the Saudi Pro League under the helm of Nuno Espirito Santo.
: ‘A very sad day’: French striker Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid (France 24)