Real Madrid's legendary striker Karim Benzema has reportedly signed a contract with Al-Ittihad said to be valid until 2025, sparking massive excitement among Cristiano Ronaldo fans, who are gearing up to see the two face each other in the Saudi Pro League.
A day after Real Madrid confirmed the departure of legendary striker Karim Benzema, who spent 14 trophy-laden years at the Santiago Bernabeu, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Frenchman has signed for Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad on a two-year contract.
"Karim Benzema has signed main part of docs to become new Al Ittihad player joining the Saudi league — here we go! Understand contract will be valid until 2025 but will also include option for further season. Karim will say goodbye to Madrid fans then travel to Saudi," wrote Romano on Twitter, sparking a massive reaction among fans of the Saudi Pro League.
🚨🇸🇦 Karim Benzema has signed main part of docs to become new Al Ittihad player joining the Saudi league — here we go!
Understand contract will be valid until 2025 but will also include option for further season.
Karim will say goodbye to Madrid fans then travel to Saudi. pic.twitter.com/OCzwszv2OL
Interestingly, Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo's fans took to Twitter to welcome Karim Benzema to the Gulf nation, with most awaiting a mouth-watering contest between the two former Real Madrid stars. It is worth noting that during Ronaldo's time with the Los Blancos, his pairing with Benzema was one of football's greatest link-up as the Frenchman proved to be a critical playmaker for the Portuguese talisman.
✍👕 “Para mi presi, KB9” 🤝 Florentino Pérez pic.twitter.com/IK5a1EVBiX
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)"Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future," Real Madrid said in a statement on Sunday.
Also read: It's official now: Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid after 14 years at club
An “institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema” will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of the club's president Florentino Perez.
🤍 El primero y el último 👑 pic.twitter.com/1rcWws1ZJV
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)At the age of 21, Benzema moved from the French club Lyon, where he had begun his professional football career, to Real Madrid. Since then, Benzema has played for Real in 647 games (across all competitions), appearing in 353 of them and scoring 353 goals. He ranks second all-time for Real Madrid in both LaLiga and the Champions League in terms of goals scored.
💜 ¡Gracias por vuestro apoyo esta temporada, Madridistas! 💜 pic.twitter.com/LyTtqDnDj7
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)During the fourteen seasons at Real Madrid, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner clinched 25 titles – a record number for the club. These included 5 Champions League titles, 5 Club World Cups, 4 Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 3 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups. Benzema is also the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Champions League and the domestic league, respectively.
📝 Empate en el cierre de la temporada.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)The French forward is the current winner of both the Ballon d'Or and the UEFA Player of the Year awards; he took home the former with an astounding 549 votes. For the prized honour, he prevailed against Kevin de Bruyne and Sadio Mane. Additionally, Benzema won the Pichichi Trophy in 2022 and was a member of the FIFA FIFPRO Eleven.
With Benzema's move to Saudi Pro League 2022-23 champions Al-Ittihad reportedly confirmed, here's a look at how Ronaldo fans welcomed the Real Madrid icon:
Ronaldo and Benzema first interaction in Saudi League pic.twitter.com/qkyswKZ7Fp https://t.co/EJj4NYwQOV
— Lahori Guy (@YrrrFahad_)Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad
We'll be there no matter what. https://t.co/pdFiW5KpbB pic.twitter.com/EXGGywdIOz
I will not be surprised if Ronaldo has influenced Benzema to follow a new culture🤝👑 https://t.co/VfCEa0Cusw
— GR7 (@GauravRana0077)Gonna be funny when he stops CR winning the league again https://t.co/zLVLDjLMaQ
— Joe (@mufcJR_)Benzema done, Messi to follow. When the goat speaks, listen. https://t.co/SINBkTG4eA pic.twitter.com/NVK2CLZsQF
— Bilal Khan (@biIaI02)Benzema winning the Saudi Arabia league trophy on Ronaldo’s watch I will be there no matter what https://t.co/tjkyMEd61d
— That Horny Guy🍑🍆💦~Beast Of Carthage🦧🇺🇬🇺🇸 (@Lloydlucianvert)Now everyone is following cristiano after trolling him lol https://t.co/fkJwWRjp4n
— Factsgeneration1 (@Factsgenbackup1)Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad next seasonpic.twitter.com/mbNwSEiFyY https://t.co/m8O2kUFIiQ
— U (@Umangabae)Ronaldo leads, others follow!!! https://t.co/3mPUTBas6J
— Sesugh Iortyom(LegitBills) (@IortyomSesugh)This benzema ronaldo face off pic.twitter.com/OfSxHRIaQh https://t.co/iXzSOCrneT
— 🇶🇦🦝🇶🇦 (@PainBruv)Wait so Are Al nasar, Al Ittihad, and Al hilal the three biggest in Saudi? So they getting Ronaldo, Benz, and Messi in each one 🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s actually genius https://t.co/VUMXVhXKzM
— Rupak (@Rup4kC)CR7 influence 🐐❤️ https://t.co/G4pZ6dUAL6
— King YoungBee (@KingYoungBee)Cristiano Ronaldo's influence is insane. The Greatest Of All Time 🐐🔥 https://t.co/ihYGwA5Q8q
— Adeleke R. Bolanle¹⁴ 🇬🇧🇳🇬👨🏾💻 (@ButtyGhetto_)When CR7 signed we all laughed at him. Looks like Saudi will be the new destination instead of MLS and the others. Less stressful league + extremely good money. https://t.co/PdDjV3TOs3
— DEE (@banterfree)Ronaldo effect is insane! https://t.co/8MHM70eGab pic.twitter.com/YVlLDOh2ww
— SEWE FC (@united_extra)Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way !! I see more top players joining him in this league soon. Including Messi 👍🏾 https://t.co/57u8fusjav
— Dolapo Klasick The Host 🎤 (@KlasickTheHost)