Al-Ittihad confirm Karim Benzema deal after striker’s Real Madrid farewell
Karim Benzema has completed his move to Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club have confirmed. The striker is leaving Real Madrid in the summer and has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions. Benzema was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12-month extension he had. Earlier on Tuesday, the 35-year-old vowed he will never forget Real. The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games and won a club-record 25 trophies during his time with the LaLiga side. “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference. “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life. It's difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It's been a good journey in my life Karim Benzema “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents. “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that. “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here. “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.” Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas. “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Merger of golf’s warring factions sends shockwaves through sport London Irish suspended as takeover deal collapses London Irish’s highs and lows as the club face suspension
2023-06-07 02:57
Kenya hikes fuel prices despite court order
Kenya announced Friday a hike in fuel prices in defiance of a court order blocking implementation of a...
2023-07-01 02:21
Lil Nas X's Toronto Film Festival documentary premiere delayed due to threat from a 'passerby,' police say
Lil Nas X's Toronto International Film Festival premiere for his documentary "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero" was delayed Saturday while police investigated a threat in the area, officials confirmed to CNN on Sunday.
2023-09-11 03:24
Watch live: Fans gather at Istanbul stadium ahead of Champions League final
Watch live as fans gather at Istanbul's Olympic Ataturk Stadium as Manchester City and Inter Milan prepare to face each other in the Champions League final on Saturday, 10 June. Guardiola’s side are favourites for the game that could see them crowned European champions for the first time and complete the treble. Inter beat Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final, securing their first silverware of the season. The Italian side secured third place in Serie A, ensuring a return to the competition they last won in 2010 under the management of Jose Mourinho. Speaking to reporters ahead of the final, Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne admitted that it is Manchester City's "dream and obsession" to win the Champions League. "It’s absolutely a dream, yes. To achieve things you always have to have the correct proportion of obsession and desire," Guardiola, who won the competition twice managing Barcelona, said. Read More Manchester City fans sing on streets of Istanbul ahead of Champions League final Man City owner to attend first match in 13 years at Champions League final Watch: Guardiola and De Bruyne on ‘dream and obsession’ of winning Champions League
2023-06-10 20:23
Mixed year for French wine but champagne fizzes
PARIS French wine production in 2023 is expected to be near the average of the last five years,
2023-08-08 17:58
Who is Mike Massa? Harrison Ford's stunt double lights himself on fire during SAG-AFTRA rally
On July 24, stunt performers demonstrated around Atlanta in support of the current SAG-AFTRA strikes
2023-07-26 17:45
This Week in Playoff Mode: 5 big questions for the NBA Finals
With the NBA Finals matchup set, we're diving into (and answering) the biggest questions looming over this matchup between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets.The Miami Heat nearly teetered into making the wrong kind of history but, instead, they beat the Boston Celtics in Game 7 to complete ...
2023-05-31 01:45
US lawmaker to urge chip industry group to reduce China investments -source
By Stephen Nellis The chair of the U.S. House of Representatives' committee on China on Tuesday planned to
2023-09-19 21:50
Arnold Schwarzenegger grins on red carpet with daughters and son-in-law Chris Pratt while Joseph Baena goes solo
Arnold Schwarzenegger and his family were attending the premiere of his Netflix series, 'Fubar', in Los Angeles on May 22
2023-05-23 18:47
Microsoft-Activision Game Deal Will ‘Damage’ PlayStation, Sony Executive Says
Microsoft Corp.’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. will deliver a blow to Sony Group Corp’s console business and
2023-06-28 04:52
Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart to miss 3 to 5 weeks with sprained left foot
Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will miss three to five weeks with a sprained left foot, adding to Memphis’ already lengthy injury list
2023-11-18 08:23
Unraveling Andrew Tate's internet influence: A deep dive into controversy and impact
Andrew Tate's dark internet empire captivates young audiences with fame, misogyny, and controversy, highlighting complexities of the digital age
2023-07-23 14:24
You Might Like...
Fresh Supreme Court bill will be launched on Wednesday, Israel's Knesset says
Who is John Shively? Wisconsin man arrested for killing his 25-year-old son after an argument over 25 cents
Titans hope being home again helps against the struggling Panthers
How fun! Joel Embiid despairs over worst possible 76ers offseason
NC State goes lone wolf to allow ACC expansion, SMU won't get paid nine times
Joe Rogan mocks transgender fighter Fallon Fox for 'competing' as female during MMA debut: 'That person became a woman for two years'
Canada port strike may add to inflation concerns ahead of rate decision
Andrew Tate defends donation to Palestinian children amid criticism asserting 'people are never happy', Internet labels him 'narcissist'