Karim Benzema moves to Al-Hilal and bids farewell to Al-Ittihad: Details of the message
In a move that shook the Saudi Arabian and regional sports scene, French star Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or winner, bid farewell to Al-Ittihad fans in his own unique and moving way, following the official announcement of his transfer to their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal. This move brought to a close a remarkable era for Benzema in Jeddah, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the capital, Riyadh.
Farewell message: Pride and gratitude
Through his official account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Benzema addressed heartfelt words to Al-Ittihad and its fans, emphasizing that mutual respect will remain forever. In his tweet, Benzema said, "This chapter ends, but the respect and gratitude will remain forever." The French star also thanked everyone who supported him, adding, "Thank you to the club, the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans for the welcome, love, and energy you gave me every day.".
Benzema highlighted the achievements during his time with Al-Ittihad, mentioning the league title and the King's Cup, commenting: "This journey has given me so much, both personally and professionally. I leave with my head held high, proud to have worn these colors and to have shared everything with them." These words reflect the high level of professionalism of the player who has graced European pitches before settling in Saudi Arabia.
Earthquake in the Saudi transfer market
The transfer of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal is an exceptional event in the history of the Saudi Professional League (the Roshan League). The historic rivalry between "Al-Ameed" (the Dean) and "Al-Za'eem" (the Leader) makes any swap deal or direct transfer between them a hot topic for the media and fans. The match between the two teams is known as the "Saudi Clasico," the most important and most-watched match in the region, which adds a dramatic and highly competitive dimension to this transfer for the upcoming season.
General context and impact of the deal
This transfer comes at a time when Saudi sports are experiencing an unprecedented boom, becoming a destination for the world's top stars as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Benzema's joining Al-Hilal, the most decorated club in Asian and domestic competitions, will bolster the "Blue Wave's" attacking prowess, posing a formidable threat to opponents. Technically, Benzema possesses extensive experience gained from his glory years with Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League five times. This winning mentality is precisely what Al-Hilal seeks to compete in international tournaments and the Club World Cup.
Benzema's legacy and the future of competition
Despite his relatively short time with Al-Ittihad compared to his long career, Benzema left a clear mark, and his name will forever be associated with the new golden era of the Saudi League. With his move to Al-Hilal, fans eagerly await how the French star will adapt to the team's style of play and how his upcoming match against his former club, Al-Ittihad, will unfold – a spectacle expected to captivate audiences worldwide.
