Benzema Hails Al-Hilal as ‘Real Madrid in Asia’ After Shock Transfer

Karim Benzema in Asia: Benzema’s dramatic move to Al-Hilal has sent shockwaves through the Saudi Pro League, with the French striker declaring his new side as the “Real Madrid in Asia.” Fresh from a high-profile switch from Al-Ittihad, Benzema wasted no time in voicing his admiration for Al-Hilal’s storied history and ambitious mentality—the very traits that drew him to Spanish giants Real Madrid for 14 years.

Karim Benzema in Asia: Why the Comparison Matters

Benzema’s analogy is more than just flattery. Upon completing his first training session with Al-Hilal under coach Jorge Jesus, he revealed his excitement, stating, “It’s a good team, with a good history. They have won a lot of trophies.” Drawing direct parallels to his time at the Bernabeu, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner highlighted Al-Hilal’s strong culture, talented squad, and passionate supporters. Benzema added, “It’s similar, like Real Madrid in Asia. Everything is good—the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, they have a good mentality.”

The Frenchman’s admiration is rooted in experience, having played against Al-Hilal during his Real Madrid days. “I liked this team from before. I used to play against them with Madrid. It was not an easy game—so I have good memories,” he recalled.

Contract Breakdown and Benzema’s Shift to Al-Hilal

The transfer follows a rift between Benzema and Al-Ittihad, whom he captained to a league title. Reports indicate the striker felt disrespected by the terms of his contract extension. The proposal, managed by the Saudi Pro League’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), was structured such that Benzema would essentially play for free. Unwilling to accept, and despite offers from Europe, Benzema opted to stay in Saudi Arabia, largely due to his lucrative image rights deal, valid until 2030.

Instead of extending his stay in Jeddah, Benzema embraced the opportunity to join the league leaders. The move, orchestrated to keep a marquee talent in the Saudi Pro League, has only heightened the rivalry among the top clubs.

Ronaldo’s Frustration: Al-Hilal’s Gain is Al-Nassr’s Loss

The decision has not gone down well with everyone. Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema’s former Real Madrid teammate and captain of Al-Nassr—Al-Hilal’s nearest title challengers—reportedly tried to block the transfer and even refused to play in protest, feeling that PIF favored Al-Hilal by sanctioning the move. Ronaldo believes the investment is not equally distributed across clubs and sees Benzema’s arrival as a direct threat to his own championship ambitions.

Despite the reported tension, Ronaldo returned to training with Al-Nassr, but the move has clearly intensified the competition. With Al-Nassr sitting just one point behind Al-Hilal, Benzema’s addition could tip the title race in favor of his new club.

Benzema’s Trophy Ambition Remains Unshaken

Karim Benzema in Asia isn’t just about making headlines—he is eager to add to his impressive trophy haul. Having lifted 25 titles with Real Madrid and secured a league and King’s Cup double with Al-Ittihad last season, his competitive fire burns as bright as ever. “You know my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything on the pitch. I will help this team and, inshallah, win trophies. For me, it’s more important to bring trophies,” Benzema declared.

He’s already made a mark, scoring eight goals in 14 league games this season. Al-Hilal fans are eagerly anticipating his debut, with expectations high for Thursday’s match against Al Okhdood. Benzema’s confidence is evident: “As I said before, we have a good team, good fans and together, inshallah, we will do it.”

Opinion: Benzema’s Arrival Signals a New Era for Al-Hilal

Karim Benzema in Asia is more than a transfer story—it’s a statement of intent from both the player and Al-Hilal. Benzema’s winning mentality and experience bring a new level of credibility to the Saudi Pro League, raising its profile on the global stage. While Ronaldo’s frustrations are understandable, competition at this level only serves to elevate the league’s intensity and attractiveness for fans worldwide. As the season unfolds, Benzema’s presence could be the defining factor in Al-Hilal’s quest for more silverware.

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