French International Karim Benzema has remained loyal to Cristiano Ronaldo five years after the duo last played together. Al-Ittihad’s new number nine has backed the uprising of the Saudi Pro League, much like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Ittihad’s summer signing has some good deeds to speak about the league. He also hinted at the development of the league and the rising number of professional players joining the league.
In his statement. the 35-year-old said – “I think the league is on its way to becoming the best in the world”. “That will continue to be the case if the number of professional players in different teams increases. This will result in more and more development of the league”.
🎙️ Karim Benzema: “The Saudi League is on its way to being the best league in the world. This will happen if the number of professional players in the team increases. This will increase the development of the league more and more.” 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/6epGtlMO0S
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 18, 2023
Earlier Cristiano Ronaldo also backed the Saudi Pro League. The veteran stated that, currently, he has no agenda to play for a team in Europe. The number seven also marked the Saudi League to be superior to MLS.
Now with his former Real Madrid teammate also coming to the praise of the Saudi Pro League, it can be said, that the league is living up to the expectations of these players.
Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in July 2023, after departing his old club Real Madrid. His current contract with the club expires in June 2026. So far in his six appearances for the club, he has scored three goals and also assisted a couple.
In his stellar career with Real Madrid, the player had six hundred and forty-eight matches for the club. He went on to have three hundred and thirty-four goals and a hundred and sixty-five assists for the La Liga giants.
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in January 2023, after his departure from Manchester United. Ronaldo has till now played twenty-five matches for the club. The Portuguese international has bagged twenty-one goals and seven assists for the club so far. His current contract with the club runs till June 2025.
Players who could possibly join Saudi Pro League clubs in the upcoming transfer window
Al-Ittihad failed to land Mohamed Salah in the previous transfer window. But, their continuous attempt did give the signal that they really wanted him. However, Liverpool showed very little interest in letting their Egyptian talisman depart the club.
Even with big money offers, the deal couldn’t materialize. Seeing their determination for the winger, it can’t be ruled out that the Saudis will go again for the 31-year-old in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Manchester United was approached by the Saudi Club Al-Ettifaq for a loan deal for Jadon Sancho. However, the Saudi club faltered in meeting the tantrums of United.
Sancho’s situation at the club is looking doomed amid his fallout with the manager Erik ten Hag. The player even consulted the management regarding this failed Saudi move. So, it is likely that the winger could end up in Saudi Arabia if Al-Ettifaq comes again for him in the next transfer window.
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