Web Desk
A day after Saudi Arabia’s failed attempt to secure Lionel Messi, former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was introduced as a player for Al-Ittihad in front of a crowd of enthusiastic fans in the oil-rich kingdom.
The unveiling ceremony at Al-Ittihad’s 60,000-seater stadium in Jeddah was a spectacle of fireworks and flame-throwers as Benzema appeared in the team’s black and yellow kit, donning the number nine on his back.
Greeted with excitement, the Frenchman addressed the crowd, saying “Assalam o Alikum!” (Hello), and proudly raised the Ballon d’Or trophy he had won last year above his head.
Benzema’s arrival in Jeddah follows Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of Messi, which ended with the Argentine star choosing Inter Miami as his final club before retirement.
The signing of Benzema adds to the Saudi Pro League’s growing list of high-profile players, with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo also joining the league. According to a source close to the negotiations, the Saudi Pro League has been actively targeting renowned football talents.
The announcement comes on the heels of LIV Golf, a Saudi-funded venture, merging with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour after a year filled with conflicts and legal disputes within the sport.
Benzema, who achieved great success with Real Madrid, winning five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, and three Copas del Rey, expressed his eagerness to contribute to Al-Ittihad’s success and win more trophies.
“I’m hungry, I want to play and show what I can still do on the pitch, and especially to put the club where it should be, which is right at the top,” he stated during a brief press conference.
Saudi Arabia, benefiting from its substantial oil wealth, has been actively investing in sports assets as part of its economic diversification plans and efforts to attract tourism and investment. The kingdom acquired English club Newcastle United in 2021 and hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix in the same year.
In January, Ronaldo, another football superstar, joined Riyadh club Al-Nassr in a lucrative two-and-a-half-year deal worth over 400 million euros. The exact figure for Benzema’s contract has not been disclosed.
The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle behind these acquisitions, recently acquired controlling stakes in four clubs, including Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.
With Qatar having hosted the 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia is considering bidding for a future edition of the tournament. Reports suggest they have explored the possibility of a tri-continental edition with Egypt and Greece.
During the unveiling ceremony, passionate supporters wearing Al-Ittihad colors created a joyous atmosphere, waving yellow flags and placards that read “Benzema 9” and “Je t’aime Benzema” (I love you, Benzema) in French.
A drone image of the player’s face hovered above the venue in the Red Sea city, which serves as the gateway to the holy city of Mecca. As a practicing Muslim, Benzema has performed two “umra” pilgrimages in Mecca.
The city was adorned with banners to welcome Benzema, and reports indicate that all 60,000 tickets, symbolically priced at nine riyals ($2.50), were sold out within five hours. Having joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Lyon, Benzema made 648 appearances for the club, ranking second on Real’s all-time goalscoring list with 354 goals, behind only Ronaldo.
