Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad this summer because he always wanted to live in Saudi Arabia and "help Saudi football grow."
The France forward, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, left Real Madrid after 14 years "to try a new challenge," signing for Al Ittihad in June with the Saudi Pro League champions as a free agent.
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"Well with everything I've made and gained with Real Madrid, I think it was for me the good moment to try a new challenge," 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema told the Saudi Pro League website .