At the end of last season, Karim Benzema made the shocking decision to leave Real Madrid at the end of his contract, despite being offered a renewal.
He chose to end 14 years with Los Blancos to join Saudi club Al-Ittihad, becoming one of the first players of the summer to leave for the Middle East.
Leaving the elite of European football while he is still at the top could have been a risk for Benzema, but it is a risk he believes is justified. During an interview with the official media of the Saudi Pro League, the Frenchman spoke about the reasons which pushed him to join Al-Ittihad.
“When the football project was launched in Saudi Arabia, it seemed huge in every way. I wanted to be part of it and help football progress in this country.
“There is a lot of passion here and I am happy with the level of the game. I am really surprised by the level of Saudi Arabia, because in Europe you don’t see many football matches here. Now it is.
Benzema also revealed that his religion allowed him to settle in Saudi Arabia very quickly.
“As a Muslim, when you are in Mecca, you feel at peace. It’s an exceptional place. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country. They welcomed me with open arms and I immediately felt loved“.
Benzema also reflected on his departure from Real Madrid this summer, believing that he had accomplished everything he set out to do after arriving at Lyon in 2009, which made his decision easier.
“I am very happy and proud of everything I have done and won with Real Madrid, but I think for me it was the right time to try something new in my life after everything I had already won in Madrid.
Real Madrid has evolved in the absence of Benzema, notably thanks to the influence of a certain Jude Bellingham. Nonetheless, the 35-year-old remains an important part of the club’s recent history.
