The transfer of Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club, has been finalized. The prolific French striker has inked a contract with the reigning Saudi champions until 2026, marking the conclusion of his remarkable 14-year tenure with Real Madrid.
Reflecting on his departure, Karim Benzema expressed his everlasting gratitude towards Real Madrid, acknowledging that bidding farewell was a tough task due to the multitude of emotions involved. He sincerely thanked the club and his teammates for the incredible journey that has shaped his life.
Recalling a poignant moment from his past, the striker reminisced about the time when he was merely 21 years old. Real Madrid’s president, accompanied by Benzema’s parents, visited his home, ultimately paving the way for the realization of his childhood dream.
“I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he said. “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my teammates. It’s been a good journey in my life.
“I was lucky enough to fulfill my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents. When I saw you I said, ‘he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me on his team’. Thank you very much for that.
“I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.
Karim Benzema concluded, “It’s a little bit of a sad day because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.”
Having joined Los Blancos from Lyon in 2009, Karim Benzema has achieved remarkable success during his tenure, securing four La Liga titles and clinching the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy on five occasions. However, a fresh and exciting challenge beckons the holder of the esteemed Ballon d’Or award in the Middle East. Karim Benzema will be joining forces with his former Real Madrid teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plies his trade with Al Nassr.
Notably, Al Ittihad emerged victorious in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title last month, narrowly edging out Al Nassr.
Sergio Ramos Backs Harry Kane to Replace Karim Benzema at Real Madrid
With Karim Benzema bidding farewell to Real Madrid, speculation has intensified regarding his potential replacement in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Numerous names have surfaced in the discussions, with one prominent figure being Tottenham Hotspur striker, Harry Kane. Kane has been heavily linked with a departure from the Premier League club during this summer transfer window, attracting interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, in an interview with The Mirror (via Diario AS), has voiced his support for Kane’s potential move to Los Blancos this summer as a replacement for Karim Benzema. Ramos emphasized the unique allure of playing for Real Madrid and advised players not to miss out on such an opportunity. He highlighted Kane’s remarkable physical presence, which enables him to score prolifically in the Premier League and excel in the physical aspects of the game.
However, Ramos also emphasized the technical brilliance of Kane’s game, asserting that he deserves more recognition for his abilities beyond goal-scoring. While acknowledging his prowess as a scorer, Ramos emphasized Kane’s overall qualities as an exceptional footballer just like Karim Benzema.