After a complicated first year in Saudi Arabia, Karim Benzema is preparing to start his second season in the Gulf. Now coached by his compatriot Laurent Blanc, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner intends to put Al-Ittihad back on the front of the stage.
” I don’t like to talk about last year and what happened. There were a lot of problems! A lot. I think we weren’t just focused on football. But we have to use that, those failures, to bounce back. That’s what we did in pre-season with several changes. Don’t forget what happened last year, but now we have to learn from our mistakes and use that experience for this season. “, confided the “Nueve” during an interview granted to the Saudi Pro League media.
Benzema: “After football, I will be there (in Saudi Arabia)”
Then asked to talk about his future, particularly his post-career, Karim Benzema said he wanted to stay in Saudi Arabia, where there is ” “lots of projects to do.”
The French striker is already an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, which will take place in the wealthy oil-producing country.
“After football, I will be there. There are many projects to do here, in the future, in Saudi Arabia, he said.
Even for football, we must continue to develop it here. Who would have thought that one day the World Cup would be played in Saudi Arabia. It’s beautiful and it’s in line with what has been happening for two or three years with the arrival of great players. It’s a gift. It will open more doors. People will come and visit and not stay on the first impression. People don’t know what it’s like. For example, the city of Jeddah, people have an image that is not that of the city. You can find a lot of things here. It’s a city that suits me well. We don’t lack anything. You have to come and not stay in the life of before. There’s everything here, if you want to go to the beach you can, have a coffee etc.
