Before embarking on new horizons in Saudi Arabia, Karim Benzema left his mark in the legend of European football. The French striker followed in the footsteps of his idol, a man he now designates as the greatest of all football players in history.
KB9, as he’s nicknamed, shared his opinion on the eternal GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate. While names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé, Maradona, and even Zinedine Zidane are frequently brought up in this context, Benzema offered his own preference. The second top scorer in Real Madrid’s history chose to honor the man known as “El Fenomeno.”
“When I was younger, the way he (Ronaldo) played deeply influenced me. In my eyes, he’s the best forward and the greatest football player of all time. I watch his videos and try to replicate his movements, but it’s not easy. Some of the moves he pulled off are impossible to execute,” Benzema stated in an interview with Bwin, the quotes of which were relayed by Real Madrid’s official website.
Having received the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2022, Karim Benzema now enters a new phase of his career in Saudi Arabia. The former Olympique Lyonnais player has accepted a lucrative offer from Al Ittihad, the same club that welcomed his compatriot N’Golo Kanté a few days later. This transition allows Benzema to enjoy a favorable contract of 200 million euros per year for two consecutive years. A golden retirement awaits the icon of Real Madrid as he prepares to leave his mark in a new chapter of global football.
