Benzema Thrives in Saudi Arabia Amid Ronaldo’s Unrest

At 38 years old, former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is embarking on a new chapter in his career.

In 2023, he followed his former teammate Ronaldo to the Middle East, securing a lucrative contract shortly after winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Benzema’s tenure at Al-Ittihad was marked by remarkable success, scoring over 50 goals, but a contract dispute led to his exclusion from the team’s short-term plans. Subsequently, a transfer to Al-Hilal was swiftly arranged.

Since joining Al-Hilal, the five-time Champions League winner has made a significant impact, notably scoring a hat-trick on his debut during a decisive 6-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud. This triumph propelled Al-Hilal three points ahead in the Saudi Pro League, placing them four points clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Despite his impressive on-field performance, Benzema expressed frustration when questioned about his controversial move after the match. He stated, “Do you want to talk about the game or do you want to talk about that? Talk about the game. It was a nice performance. I feel good. With these kinds of players on this team, we play and fight together.”

When confronted about potentially suggesting that Al-Hilal’s players offer him more support than those at Al-Ittihad, Benzema retorted, “I didn’t say that. I said I feel good – it’s different.”

Regarding his departure from Jeddah and the lack of farewells, he remarked, “What? You know? You know? Ask them.”

While Benzema is enjoying his fresh start, the same cannot be said for Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, who has reportedly gone on strike at Al-Nassr. He missed a derby match against Al-Riyadh and is expected to sit out an upcoming top-of-the-table clash with Al-Ittihad on Friday.

The Saudi Pro League has responded to Ronaldo’s complaints about the allocation of transfer funds and team management, affirming in an official statement: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules. Clubs have their own boards, their own executives, and their own football leadership.

“Decisions regarding recruitment, spending, and strategy are made by those clubs within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.”

As Benzema embraces his new beginning in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty looms over Ronaldo’s future, with a release clause in his record-breaking contract potentially allowing him to leave this summer amid speculation of interest from clubs worldwide.