Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is seriously considering a mega deal from join Al Hilal, in a move that could see the Frenchman pitted against former teammate and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema is carefully weighing a big-money transfer to Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, a decision that might have a significant impact on the summer transfer market. The Frenchman could earn 100 million euros a year if he leaves now, but Real Madrid is hoping the 35-year-old accepts their offer to stay for one more season before they spend heavily on a striker in 2024.
🚨🇫🇷 Florentino Perez & Karim Benzema have met where he told him about Saudi’s offer. Final decision before Sunday. Florentino will respect any decision made. pic.twitter.com/OchvpVuyNh
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone)🚨💣 BREAKING: Al-Hilal want to team up Karim Benzema and Leo Messi. Benzema is seriously conisdering the Saudi offer. pic.twitter.com/ShXBIE3mu7
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone)Although insiders close to both players swear no contracts have yet been inked, Al Hilal is currently optimistic about preparations for Benzema and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Lionel Messi for the upcoming season.
All of this is a part of a larger effort to make the Saudi Pro League the most alluring league for megastars of the game when they enter their thirties, as they steadily work to lower that age and turn it into a true homegrown powerhouse.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo's time at Al Nasr has not yet been as successful on the pitch as had been anticipated, it is thought to have had a significant impact on shifting attitudes.
Once Ronaldo signed, several players who had previously turned down Saudi Arabian bids tried to resume talks.
Madrid had hoped to postpone a striker acquisition until the summer, especially as they have big plans for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham this transfer window.
However, Benzema's choice might have an impact on that and possibly speed up Roberto Firmino's transfer.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid fans took to Twitter to share their view on whether Benzema should leave Santiago Bernabeu and accept the staggering offer from Al-Hilal.
"And the madridistas? Are you ready for him to go? I SAY YES," said one fan on Twitter, while another added, "Because Benzema knows he is finished."
A third fan noted, "At the end, everyone's going to play in the Saudi league and there won't be anyone to watch in UCL and all the other leagues."
Here's a look at how fans reacted:
Because he knows he's finished 🤣👍https://t.co/i707fgt4V1
— Buddhala 🔰🇿🇦 (@WuddhaCR7)At the end, everyone's going to play in the Saudi league and there won't be anyone to watch in UCL and all the other leagues. https://t.co/mPdLcxrKtU
— Muhammad Saad Sadeed (@Sadeed_Saad)Ronaldo crawled so they could walk https://t.co/7r7H3RJKAC
— saggy. (@sagson_xv12)karim to get 400m euro for 2 season, messi reported to get 400m euro for one season? from where the revenue streams work? saudi do want to invest money to ensure growth apart from tourism but like??
this is crazy https://t.co/Dt6I8zCsw5
Uffff I guess other such as are next to fly to .
Saudi Arabia's bid for hosting the 2030 world cup is taking massive shape! https://t.co/4jf7MT4qlp
Eeii we will have to sign a top striker as his replacement https://t.co/hBXIMb9KPS
— Quojovi (@quojovi)€200 million FFS. Karim should go and get his retirement package https://t.co/LnxPjGwwjY
— don corleone (@abdulrazaq754)Tough to turn down an offer like that.
— tom w (@biffproton)Lmao. 200M a year?? I’d have been at their training ground the morning after the city game https://t.co/AvlCAfwp2u
— G of D’6ix (@DnameisTheG)It’s done. ✅ https://t.co/MMYhXDd1Rx pic.twitter.com/dAJHCxOfiP
— 🦂⏳🇸🇦 (@MoDembo10)One season playing against Lewa got him running for the hills 😭 https://t.co/WsdUoFB5TE
— Chris (@TrashTweetsOnIy)What actually is the difference between what Saudi are doing and what the Chinese were doing https://t.co/rymlJtobRP
— Killa Kyle Korver (@WatchersSong)What on earth are Al Nassr doing man? Enjoying this show? Do something they will smoke your ass https://t.co/GdDj2dqJ8y
— TFL ™ (@TheFootballLan1)Both Messi & Benzema would be 36 this year & ate still balling.
That link up at Saudi would be crazy. https://t.co/DqwfwLroQP
Benzema and Messi linking up
😍😍 https://t.co/8dPkaZsSDU