Just hours after saying farewell to Real Madrid in a private ceremony, Saudi club Al Ittihad confirmed the signing of Karim Benzema.
Benzema wore the Madrid shirt for 14 seasons until deciding, at the age of 35, that it was time to move on. For several weeks, the star has been linked to a move to the Saudi league, amid doubts about whether the deal would go through.On the same day Benzema officially departed Real Madrid, Saudi champions Al Ittihad announced the arrival of the famous striker on Twitter. The Saudi club's multi-million dollar offer would have been impossible to turn down for Benzema, who will earn 200 million euros over the next two seasons.
In other words, the former Lyon player will earn $100,000 per year. In this new battle, he will face Cristiano Ronaldo again, but this time as a rival. Al Nassr, Al Ittihad's adversary, is led by the Portuguese striker. With the arrival of Benzema, the Middle East continues to raise the standardThey have been associated with numerous other high-profile players, like Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, but it remains to be seen which of the stars will join Benzema in the Middle East.
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While there were plenty of emotions upon Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s retirement, it’s a miracle the 41-year-old kept going this long.
Not only did he step away from top level football for a stint in America's MLS in 2018, but upon returning to Europe a year later, he guided AC Milan to a first Serie A win in 11 years in 2022.
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Ibrahimovic said an emotional goodbye
Ibrahimovic said an emotional goodbye
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It's incredible he kept going this long
It's incredible he kept going this long
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But he's ensured he's stayed in top shape throughout his career
But he's ensured he's stayed in top shape throughout his career
He did that, as he put it, without an anterior cruciate ligament, needing his knee drained once a week along with reduced training sessions, but the Swede still delivered on the pitch.
This season he was part of a team that made the Champions League semi-finals, and have qualified for the competition once again, securing financial support that will last long after his departure.
That was with vastly reduced minutes this term, but despite that, Ibrahimovic still became Serie A’s oldest-ever goalscorer at the age of 41 in March.
Among his 14 league titles across Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands, that’s up there with his greatest feats considering how many players in Serie A blossom in their later years.
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But how does he keep in such good shape? Well outside of viral videos of his extreme workouts, Ibrahimovic took time to detail his incredible fitness regime earlier this year.
Telling GQ that he’s ‘always on the move’ the former Manchester United star explained: “I take it to extreme levels: I have a thing where I’m never satisfied.
“I always try to push up the level each time. That’s the key to getting movement into all areas of your life – next time, take the stairs.”
That movement has been restricted in the past, with Zlatan turning to yoga.
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“The toughest time for me was when I was seriously injured and I couldn’t move in the way that I was used to,” he said. “That’s when I discovered yoga.
“I’m used to more body contact, moving fast. Yoga was the opposite, so it was a new challenge for me, and I found it really positive. I had to teach myself to cool down, move slowly and differently, focus…
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Zlatan loves to show off his physique
Zlatan loves to show off his physique
“It was very exciting: I learned skills and practices that I can now apply on the football pitch. You should never be afraid to try different things.”
He continued: “I’m very competitive, so the more extreme and the more challenging, the better. I never turn down a challenge.
“My continued desire to play comes from that inability to ever give up, teamed with a desire to be a role model to the younger players on my team and kids in general.
“Where I come from, people were always judging me and telling me, ‘No, that’s not possible’. I want to show kids growing up like I did that anything’s possible. I’m the living proof that you can succeed.”
Diet is also important to Ibrahimovic, who let fans in on his simple but effective food intake.
“I’ve always taken care of my body, and what I eat has definitely helped me stay at the top level,” he said. “Food that works for me is pasta, meat, fish and a lot of eggs.
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Diet and other sports are key to keeping going
Diet and other sports are key to keeping going
“Getting sleep is important too, but I’m also here to remind people that you don’t need the perfect conditions to succeed.
“If we look all over the world, not everybody has access to the ideal food or training gear or pitches. I know I didn’t, and look at me now!”
He concluded: “I love to try out new things, to challenge myself as much as possible.
“As a kid I did many different sports at school – that’s very common in Sweden. Ball, racket, track, or field: I was in. I think I was meant to end up as an athlete.
“I've also had a lot of fun acting, and presenting at the San Remo festival in Italy was such an experience, but my number one will always be football.
“I’ve reached a certain point where I’d like to give back. If I can motivate people to move, I’m willing to do more than 100 per cent because it’s all about giving back.”
When he signed off from football, there were rare tears, but the usual Ibrahimovic bravado.
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"I saw it was raining and said: Even God is sad today," adding: "People think Ibra is Superman. Well, I am Superman, but I also have a big heart.
"I was looking around, trying to find a face that would give me strength, but everyone was crying! I looked at the players, they were crying. The fans were crying. I looked to my wife, I thought she’ll give me the strength to keep it together, but then she was crying more than anyone.”
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