French footballer Karim Benzema, formerly of Real Madrid, this Thursday revealed the reasons why he accepted Al Ittihad’s invitation to continue his career, highlighting the fact that Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country.
“Saudi Arabia is different from Europe. I have already been to Saudi Arabia and feel good. First of all, because it is a Muslim country. For me, this is where I want to be, because it is important for me to be in a Muslim country,” he said in the first interview after the official announcement of his employment.
The French footballer will play for Saudi football champions Al Ittihad for the next three seasons, until 2026, after the Spaniards left Real Madrid after 14 years, announced two days ago by the club coached by Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo.
“I am a Muslim and Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, so I want to live here,” said the 35-year-old, who will play in the Saudi Arabian league, where Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo already plays. .
“There are big names. Cristiano Ronaldo is here on the one hand and now I am here. It is important to elevate Saudi football so that it has a global impact, because playing in Saudi Arabia is not just about teaching everything that you could do in Europe,” Benzema said.
The salary that the French striker will receive during his three seasons in Saudi Arabia has not yet been announced, but the country is known to be investing several million euros in recruiting various world-class players to represent its League’s image globally. level .
Who has “escaped” this recent trend is Lionel Messi, the Argentine (ex-Paris Saint-Germain) who revealed on Wednesday that he would play in the United States (USA) in the service of Inter Miami.