For Your Sake, Planet… Benzema Leaves Al-Ittihad and the Saudi League
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Reliable journalistic sources have revealed Al-Ittihad Saudi Club’s intention to part ways with its French star Karim Benzema, just one season after he joined the team’s ranks in a groundbreaking deal.
The British newspaper “Daily Mail” reported that Al-Ittihad’s management has decided to terminate Benzema’s contract by mutual consent, as the 36-year-old player will leave the Saudi league at the end of the current season, one year before his contract was set to expire in summer 2025.
Reports indicate that Benzema will receive financial compensation of £7.5 million (approximately SAR 35 million) in exchange for terminating the contract, a significant amount for a player who did not meet expectations during his time with the team.
Benzema had joined Al-Ittihad in a free transfer after his contract with Spanish club Real Madrid ended, signing a three-year contract with an annual salary of £171 million (approximately SAR 800 million), making him one of the highest-paid players in the world.
During his time with Al-Ittihad, Benzema participated in 26 matches across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing 6 assists. Despite these relatively good numbers, the player’s performance did not meet expectations, especially in important matches, which sparked widespread criticism from the club’s fans and media outlets.
Sources confirmed that Benzema, who has a strong relationship with his compatriot N’Golo Kanté, his former teammate at Real Madrid who currently plays for Al-Ittihad as well, will not transfer to another club in the Saudi league but will return to Europe to continue his career with a club whose identity has not yet been revealed.
Benzema had previously stated that he feels happy in Saudi Arabia and wishes to stay with Al-Ittihad, but it appears that disagreements with management and the team’s negative results have made both parties consider parting ways by mutual consent.
In related news, “The Athletic” newspaper confirmed that Benzema will receive £7.5 million as compensation for terminating the contract, which is equivalent to approximately half his annual salary.
With this decision, Al-Ittihad has rid itself of the burden of Benzema’s massive salary, but at the same time, it will lose one of the world’s best strikers, which may affect the team’s ambitions in the coming seasons.
It is worth noting that Benzema had led Real Madrid to win the UEFA Champions League in two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023, and won the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player in 2022, before deciding to leave for the Saudi league in search of a new challenge and to achieve huge financial gains.
In conclusion, the question remains about Benzema’s future and the possibility of his return to Europe to continue his career with one of the major clubs, or whether he will choose to retire and end his football career filled with titles and achievements.
صحيفة عكاظ اليوم ، موقع إخباري شامل يهتم بتقديم خدمة صحفية متميزة للقارئ، وهدفنا أن نصل لقرائنا الأعزاء بالخبر الأدق والأسرع والحصري بما يليق بقواعد وقيم الأسرة السعودية، لذلك نقدم لكم مجموعة كبيرة من الأخبار المتنوعة داخل الأقسام التالية، الأخبار العالمية و المحلية، الاقتصاد، تكنولوجيا ، فن، أخبار الرياضة، منوعات و سياحة.