Remember, it was a year ago: Karim Benzema was targeted by Al-Ittihad supporters. We then discovered that the reigning Saudi Arabian champions were supported by passionate fans. The Jeddah team had missed its start to the season (and finished very far from Al-Hilal, 2024 champion, while not qualifying for the Asian Champions League). And their star Ballon d’Or 2022 was accused of having upset the team led by Nuno Esprito Santo and led by Romarinho. The memory is distant. Laurent Blanc is now the coach and the Brazilian striker is no longer in the team.
With 16 goals in 33 matches in all competitions for his first season at Al-Ittihad (only 9 goals in the Saudi Pro League), “KB9” had neither justified his status as a Real Madrid legend nor that of the highest paid player in the world. world behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Needless to say, the salary of the 36-year-old Lyonnais in Saudi Arabia is completely crazy. His “sports income” are estimated at $100 million per
Forbesthe leading international media outlet for the great fortunes of this world. The former French international would also pocket $4 million in “extra-sporting income”.
Benzema’s salary posted at 30 million
It was obvious that Benzema had accepted a golden bridge by terminating his contract with the Merengues in July 2023 to go into exile in the Gulf. The Spanish press then mentioned a two and a half year contract worth 200 million euros, then the player’s entourage insisted on denying the information. According to
Football transfer windowBenzema benefited from an annual salary of 30 million dollars (or approximately €27.5 million), before a percentage on image rights and a bonus for being ambassador of Saudi Arabia’s candidacy for the Cup of the world 2030. Or XXL emoluments without being staggering.
But at 100 million (until 2025), Benzema is quite simply the 4th highest paid footballer in the world in 2024 according to
Forbes. Cristiano Ronaldo explodes all the counters at 285 million dollars in income per year, including 220 million coming from his club, to beat Lionel Messi to 135 million dollars in earnings since his arrival at Inter Miami. Neymar, who has not played much at Al-Hilal, is 3rd, pocketing $110 million, including 80 in salaries and bonuses. Benzema therefore appears ahead of Kylian Mbappé, whose emoluments are estimated at $90 million, including 70 million from sporting income.
