In an interesting sit-down interview with the club’s media outlets, Karim Benzema discussed his transfer to Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad.
The 35-year-old attacker signed a three-year contract with Saudi Arabian champions on Tuesday, making him the second-highest paid player in world football two days after playing his final match for Real Madrid.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the most recent recipient of the prized Ballon d’Or and five-time Champions League champion, Karim Benzema, will earn £172m annually with the Jeddah-based club.
The French striker will receive £14.34m a month, which, when broken down, works out to £19,640 per hour, £327.34 every minute, and £5.46 per second.
Since signing the contract, Benzema has spoken candidly to the Saudi champions about his move.
It’s one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia, he stated, speaking on Ittihad Club’s official channel. This team has won numerous trophies and is supported with great enthusiasm by its supporters.
A good club always requires fans, and the stadium is outstanding. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there is such a passion here. The support of the crowd is crucial, and their fervor inspires us to perform at our absolute best.
He continued, “I hope that what I’ll be able to contribute to my new team is my football and, most importantly, the ability to win trophies. Since this is a new era for me, I want to advance the club.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm in this club. I want my followers to recognize themselves in me. Due to my love of football, I would like to leave a lasting legacy. I’m always trying to outdo myself and push myself further.
I’ll be ready to give them what they want and to demonstrate my talent as a result.
Also questioned was Benzema’s decision to play in Saudi.
He responded, “Well, because I’m Muslim and it’s a Muslim country. “I’ve wanted to reside there forever. I feel good about having already visited Saudi Arabia.
“Most significantly, it’s a Muslim nation, and it’s adored and lovely. My family was ecstatic when I told them I had signed a contract with Saudi Arabia, and now here I am. I want to be there, in my opinion.
I feel like people already like me, he continued. And [living in Saudi Arabia] will enable me to start anew. It’s vital to me that I speak Arabic well and would like to master the language.
“Mecca is not far; I’ve already gone to Saudi Arabia. This is where I will feel at my best and most at home, which is vital to me as a believer.
Next season, Benzema will face off against Cristiano Ronaldo, a former Los Blancos teammate, which he is looking forward to.
He added that Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabia was crucial because of how important a player he is. “He contributes a lot to the game in this nation, and that will raise their playing level even further.
“Therefore, it’s critical to demonstrate that Saudi football can have a global influence, as it is not a binary between performing well or poorly when playing in Saudi Arabia. No, I need to work harder and demonstrate all I accomplished in Europe so that I can carry it with me to Saudi Arabia.
