French footballer Karim Benzema, formerly of Real Madrid, revealed this Thursday the reasons that led him to accept 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 had already been to Saudi Arabia and I feel good. Especially because it is a Muslim country. For me, this is where I want to be, because being in a Muslim country is important to me.he said in the first interview since his hiring was made official.
The France international will play for Saudi football champion Al-Ittihad for the next three seasons until 2026 after leaving the Spaniards after 14 years at Real Madrid, the club coached by Portugal’s Nuno Espírito Santo announced two days ago.
“I am Muslim and Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, so I want to live here,” confirms the 35-year-old player, who will play in the Saudi League, where the Portuguese ‘star’ Cristiano Ronaldo already plays. .
“There are big names. Cristiano Ronaldo is here, on one side, and now I am there. It is important to take Saudi football to the next level so that it has a global impact, because playing in Saudi Arabia is not just that, you have to learn everything I was able to do in EuropeBenzema underlined.
The salary that the French striker will earn during the three seasons in Saudi Arabia has not yet been announced, but it is certain that the country is investing several million euros to recruit several world-class footballers to improve the image of its league in a project on a global scale. level.
Who ‘fleeed’ from this recent trend was Lionel Messi, the Argentinian (ex-Paris Saint-Germain) who announced on Wednesday that he will play in the United States (USA), in the service of Inter Miami.
Source: DN
