Karim Benzema mentioned he desires to deliver trophies to his new Saudi Professional League membership Al Hilal, which he known as the “Actual Madrid in Asia.”
The French ahead turned down a contract extension to stay at Al Ittihad past June and as a substitute joined Saudi Professional League leaders Al Hilal on Monday.
Talking for the primary time since his transfer, the previous Madrid captain and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner instructed the membership’s web site: “It is good. I am completely satisfied to be right here. After my first coaching with the staff, with the coach, I am so completely satisfied and glad to be part of this staff.
“It is a good staff, with historical past. They’ve gained a variety of trophies.
“It is comparable, like Actual Madrid in Asia. Every part is sweet, the followers are good, they play effectively, they’ve good gamers, they’ve mentality.
“I preferred this staff from earlier than. I used to play in opposition to them with Madrid and it was not a straightforward recreation. It was recreation so I’ve good recollections. As we speak I am completely satisfied as a result of I am a participant of Al Hilal.”
In keeping with sources, Benzema, 38, felt disrespected with the contract extension Al Ittihad had supplied him.
The Al Ittihad deal from the Saudi Professional League, which handles the contracts of the principle gamers in PIF(Saudi Arabian Public Funding Fund)-owned golf equipment, would successfully have seen the veteran striker play totally free, sources mentioned.
Benzema, who had gives from European golf equipment, determined to remain in Saudi Arabia, partly as a result of his picture rights deal there’s till 2030.
His transfer to Al Hilal, which PIF orchestrated, has reportedly angered Benzema’s former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains rivals Al Nassr.
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In keeping with sources, Ronaldo refused to play for his membership on Monday in protest as a result of PIF was not investing sufficient in Al Nassr and as a substitute was giving a bonus to Al Hilal.
Ronaldo is trying to win his first main title with Al Nassr and his staff are second within the Saudi Professional League standings, one level adrift of Al Hilal.
Benzema, who was instrumental in Al Ittihad successful the league crown and the King’s Cup final season, mentioned he’s hungry for extra silverware.
“[It’s a] clear message,” he mentioned. ” my mentality. I’ve a variety of ambition. I’ll work, I’ll give every little thing on the pitch. I’ll assist this staff and, inshallah, win trophies. For me it is extra vital to deliver trophies. As I mentioned earlier than, we’ve got staff, good followers and collectively, inshallah, we are going to do it.”
Benzema arrived in Saudi Arabia in the summertime of 2023 having gained 25 trophies with Madrid, together with 4 LaLiga, three Copa del Rey, and 5 Champions League titles.
He has eight objectives in 14 league video games this season.
His first recreation with Al Hilal can be Thursday’s league encounter at Al Okhdood.
