French striker Karim Benzema has signed a three-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad. The announcement was made on this AFP by a source on the Jeddah team.
The agreement takes place two days after confirmation of the departure of the striker from Real Madrida club he defended for 14 seasons.
Benzema will join in Arabia Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who in December last year was signed by Al-Nassr. The next star that could sign with a Saudi club is Argentine Lionel Messi, who will not continue in Paris Saint Germain.
Hired by Real Madrid in 2009, when he was just 21 years old, Benzema left the Meringue club with 25 titles, which makes him the player with the most trophies won by the Spanish team, alongside the Brazilian Marcelo.
Saudi Arabia, which has been criticized for human rights violations, is determined to use football to improve its international image. And the Arabian peninsula kingdom has petrodollars to spare to fulfill its ambition.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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