Khaberni - Karim Benzema, captain of the Saudi League reigning champions Al-Ittihad, said he has a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer of Al-Nassr, denying any disputes with his former Real Madrid teammate.
The Frenchman Benzema and the Portuguese all-time top scorer spent nine years together at the Spanish capital’s team, and their relationship cooled off after Ronaldo's departure to Juventus in 2018, ending a partnership that contributed to three consecutive Champions League titles since 2016, before competing intensified since moving to Saudi Arabia.
It seemed that their peace was lukewarm, before Al-Ittihad lost 2-0 to Al-Nassr in a Saudi League match in September, but Benzema attributed this to each of them focusing on preparing for the game.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper As on Monday he said: "We actually spoke in the dressing room and hugged each other. "Then on the field, we cannot or should not repeat that again.. There is a lot of respect, we are fine and do not need to show anything. Each of us learned from the other."
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner added: "It seems like we are forced to say things or do things in front of the cameras. It’s not like that. A lot of respect. We meet on the pitch and each gets busy with their own affairs."
Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January 2023 opened the door for several prominent stars to move to the Saudi League, including Benzema who joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
After a disappointing first season in Jeddah, Benzema rallied and led Al-Ittihad to win the league and King’s Cup double last season. While Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, is still searching for his first title in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
Benzema (37 years old) said that the Saudi League needed elite players for growth.
He added, "Saudi Arabia needs players like Cristiano or like me or like others who came here to give it some of what we have in Europe.
He continued, "We need to teach the local players what is necessary so they can move to other clubs."
"Government" confirmed that he does not intend to stop playing before two years, feeling that he is "in good shape".
Al-Ittihad is currently eighth in the table with 11 points from eight matches, trailing 13 points behind the leader Al-Nassr who has a perfect score.
