Karim Benzema finally bade adieu to Real Madrid after spending 14 years at the club. With over 350 goals and 24 titles won, Benzema leaves as the club’s most decorated player. Benzema played his last match at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium last night after which he was given an emotional farewell by his teammates. As per reports, Benzema’s next destination will be the Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad.
Karim Benzema — one of the greatest strikers of all time — is signing with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, per @FabrizioRomano.
His contract: 3 years, $643 million. pic.twitter.com/AgQYzeNZ48
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 4, 2023
Karim Benzema will rejoin his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia as per the latest transfer reports. The French star has accepted a mega $643 million deal, one of the biggest in the soccer world. Benzema will officially say goodbye to Real Madrid at a press conference tomorrow. Following the press conference, he will fly off to Saudi Arabia to finalize the nitty-gritty of his deal.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Karim Benzema has agreed to a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad till 2025. Moreover, Benzema’s compatriot N’Golo Kante is also rumored to be negotiating with Al-Ittihad currently. While nothing hasn’t been confirmed yet, the Chelsea midfielder might leave the Premier League for a move to Saud Arabia in this transfer window.
🚨🇸🇦 Karim Benzema has signed main part of docs to become new Al Ittihad player joining the Saudi league — here we go!
Understand contract will be valid until 2025 but will also include option for further season.
Karim will say goodbye to Madrid fans then travel to Saudi. pic.twitter.com/OCzwszv2OL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2023
Karim Benzema’s departure signifies a transition period at Real Madrid. Alongside Benzema, Eden Hazard, Mariano, and Marco Asensio will also leave the club. While Benzema’s news came as a bombshell to the club, coach Carlo Ancelotti said, “We can’t be pleased about his departure, but we have to respect his decision.” Benzema will leave as the club’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Will Karim Benzema overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s highest-paid soccer player?
Karim Benzema is the latest in a line of high-profile soccer stars to move to Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr at the beginning of the year has heralded a new era in soccer. Many soccer stars are leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia at the twilight of their careers. Moreover, the mouth-watering contracts being offered by the Saudi Arabian clubs are also helping to lure the players.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid soccer player after he joined Al-Nassr. Ronaldo reportedly earns around $213 million annually at his new club. Moreover, Ronaldo’s image rights contribute a massive chunk to Ronaldo’s humongous salary. However, Benzema’s latest move means that he has overtaken the former Manchester United star as the world’s highest-paid soccer player.
🚨 Lionel Messi’s camp have already accepted an offer from Al-Hilal for €1.2 billion [€600m/year for two years]. 🇦🇷💰🇸🇦
That’s more than double what Cristiano Ronaldo currently earns.
(Source: @Santi_J_FM) pic.twitter.com/kqI5TIC4QP
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 30, 2023
Karim Benzema’s $643 million contract indicates that he will earn around $214 million annually. A further breakdown of Benzema’s salary shows that the former Lyon star will make a whopping $4.2 million per week. Although even Karim Benzema’s salary could be overshadowed by Lionel Messi if he agrees to sign for Al-Hilal, who are reportedly prepared to offer Messi a contract worth $1.2 billion.
