Benzema's message to Ronaldo angers him: Behind the scenes of the Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr rivalry
International media reports have revealed intriguing behind-the-scenes dealings between football legends in the Saudi Professional League, most notably between French star Karim Benzema, the new Al-Hilal striker, and his former teammate and current Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. These reports further intensify the historic rivalry between the two Riyadh giants, especially following recent activity in the winter transfer window.
According to the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, the strong relationship that bound the two stars for many years within the walls of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium did not prevent some competitive clashes between them on Saudi pitches. Benzema sent Ronaldo a text message, laced with heavy humor, following the French striker's transfer from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal during the last winter transfer window.
Details of the message that angered Madeira's rocket
Reports indicate that Benzema's message contained a lighthearted hint that he had not only received a pay raise in his new contract with Al-Hilal, but was also guaranteed another league title, given the strength of the club's system. This joke, though between friends, came at a very sensitive time for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo is experiencing a period of dissatisfaction with his performance, having missed Al-Nassr's last two league matches. This coincided with his frustration with the club's lackluster activity in the winter transfer window, especially compared to their direct rivals, Al-Hilal, who bolstered their squad with the high-profile signing of Karim Benzema. Ronaldo, who still possesses an unparalleled hunger for trophies, believes his team needs stronger reinforcements to keep pace with the high level of competition.
A shared history and renewed rivalry
This scene cannot be viewed in isolation from the rich history that unites the two players; together they formed a formidable duo in Europe, leading Real Madrid to continental glory, including dominating the Champions League for years. Today, this relationship is renewed, but within a fiercely competitive environment in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the immense market and technical value of the Roshan League, which now attracts the world's elite players and underscores the success of the Saudi sports project in capturing global attention.
Ronaldo's incredible numbers despite the challenges
Despite the administrative tensions, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to make history with Al-Nassr. Since joining the club in early 2023 in a deal that shook the global sports world, the Portuguese star has broken records, scoring 117 goals in various competitions.
With this number, Ronaldo established himself as Al-Nassr's all-time leading foreign goalscorer, surpassing the previous record held by Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah (115 goals). All eyes are now on the ultimate dream, as the "Madeira Rocket" has reached a total of 961 goals in his career, leaving him just 39 goals away from the astonishing milestone of 1000 goals. This unprecedented achievement is what Ronaldo is striving to accomplish to cap off his legendary career, driven by the enthusiasm of a twenty-year-old despite being over forty-one years old.
It is worth noting that Al-Nassr's management intervened quickly to contain the anger of their star player, and Ronaldo is scheduled to return to lead the team in the upcoming matches, in an attempt to reduce the gap with Al-Hilal and compete for the available titles.
