Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi are anticipated to maneuver to Saudi Arabia, reviews mentioned on Sunday after the ex-France attacker’s departure from Real 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 potential, sources informed 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 affix Cristiano Ronaldo within the Gulf kingdom after the Portugal attacker moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following final yr’s World Cup.

According to Al-Ekhbariya, the president of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad and his deputy have been within the Spanish capital “to officially sign” Benzema in a “record transfer with Real Madrid”.

The broadcaster mentioned Benzema had agreed a two-year cope with the membership, primarily based on the Red Sea shores of the Gulf kingdom.

Benzema scored a penalty in his closing 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 mentioned the striker wouldn’t go away his contract at Santiago Bernabeu early, with one yr 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 greatest participant.

– Leaving Lyon –
Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 facet and hometown outfit Lyon.

Benzema established himself as a key participant alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale within the vaunted “BBC” attacking trident, earlier than creating into the group’s chief when the Portugal striker left in 2018.

He is Real Madrid’s second high 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 a substitute of the “hunting dog” he needed.

While taking part in alongside Ronaldo, Benzema took the function of provider and labored onerous to supply for his team-mate.

The ahead significantly elevated his aim 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 May, with Real Madrid beating Osasuna to elevate the title for the primary time since 2014.

Benzema might cherish final season’s Champions League triumph probably the most of all his successes as a result of he performed a vital function in profitable it.

The ahead scored a surprising hat-trick to assist Madrid come from behind in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain within the final 16 and progress.

Benzema netted one other treble at Stamford Bridge within the quarter-finals in opposition to Chelsea and scored the extra-time aim within the second leg which despatched his group into the semi-finals.

The ahead additionally scored three targets over two video games in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to assist Madrid attain the ultimate, which they gained in opposition to Liverpool in Paris — his first Champions League triumph because the group’s figurehead.

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