Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi are anticipated to maneuver to Saudi Arabia, studies stated on Sunday after the ex-France attacker’s departure from Actual Madrid was confirmed. Saudi state tv channel Al-Ekhbariya claimed 35-year-old Benzema had signed with Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad. Senior officers from Al Hilal have flown to France to attempt to seal a deal for Messi after the 35-year-old performed his final recreation for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The Saudi delegation plans to satisfy Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of finishing the signing as quickly as attainable, sources instructed AFP on Sunday.
Messi arrived in Paris two seasons in the past from Barcelona however was unable to assist PSG win an elusive Champions League title, because the membership suffered last-16 defeats in each campaigns with the Argentine maestro.
Benzema and Messi are in line to hitch Cristiano Ronaldo within the Gulf kingdom after the Portugal attacker moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following final 12 months’s World Cup.
In line with Al-Ekhbariya, the president of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad and his deputy had been within the Spanish capital “to formally signal” Benzema in a “report switch with Actual Madrid”.
The broadcaster stated Benzema had agreed a two-year take care of the membership, primarily based on the Pink Sea shores of the Gulf kingdom.
Benzema scored a penalty in his ultimate Madrid recreation as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Over the previous week, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti — in addition to Benzema himself — had stated the striker wouldn’t depart his contract at Santiago Bernabeu early, with one 12 months left of it to run.
Benzema lifted 5 Champions Leagues, 4 La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid and is the holder of the Ballon d’Or for the world’s finest participant.
– Leaving Lyon –
Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 aspect and hometown outfit Lyon.
Benzema established himself as a key participant alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale within the vaunted “BBC” attacking trident, earlier than growing into the staff’s chief when the Portugal striker left in 2018.
He’s Actual Madrid’s second prime scorer of all-time, with 354 targets for Spaniard, behind solely Ronaldo on 450.
Benzema battled with Gonzalo Higuain for a daily beginning spot in his early days at Madrid, and was as soon as derided by then-coach Jose Mourinho for being a “cat” as an alternative of the “searching canine” he wished.
Whereas taking part in alongside Ronaldo, Benzema took the position of provider and labored arduous to offer for his team-mate.
The ahead tremendously elevated his objective output after Ronaldo left, taking part in centrally, and scored 44 in 46 video games final season, a efficiency that earned him the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
Benzema’s most up-to-date conquest was the Copa del Rey in Could, with Actual Madrid beating Osasuna to carry the title for the primary time since 2014.
Benzema could cherish final season’s Champions League triumph probably the most of all his successes as a result of he performed a vital position in successful it.
The ahead scored a surprising hat-trick to assist Madrid come from behind towards Paris Saint-Germain within the final 16 and progress.
Benzema netted one other treble at Stamford Bridge within the quarter-finals towards Chelsea and scored the extra-time objective within the second leg which despatched his staff into the semi-finals.
The ahead additionally scored three targets over two video games towards Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis to assist Madrid attain the ultimate, which they received towards Liverpool in Paris — his first Champions League triumph because the staff’s figurehead.
(Apart from the headline,