A year ago
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been speculated by many clubs including Al Ittihad, one of the biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia. According to multiple sources, the French international has been linked with leaving Real Madrid. Somehow it's unpopular for a player to hold a press conference to talk about his future and most importantly it's done and the media has caught a glimpse of it in the final stages.
Claims earlier this week that the offer was on par with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of wages in the Middle East, leading one to think he was about to leave the Bernabeu. During yesterday's press conference, Benzema revealed that he will not be leaving Madrid. Talking to the press, he said:
"Talking about what? Why talk about the future if I'm in Madrid... Who's saying it's the internet, and the reality isn't the internet. I'm here... we have a game on Sunday. I know what?Real Madrid fans love me. I feel it when I'm on the pitch," Benzema told the media.
Karim Benzema joined Los Blancos in 2008 and most of his time was spent as a cover for Cristiano Ronaldo before starting after Ronaldo left the club to join Juventus.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing prolifically for Al-Nassr since joining the club in January
However, reports have linked him to leaving and returning to European football
The Portuguese superstar is now confirmed to stay in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will stay in Saudi Arabia, ending speculation he wants to leave the Middle East to return to Europe.
The Portuguese legend left Manchester United to join Al Nassr in January but his transfer has been shrouded in uncertainty in recent weeks following reports he could return to the world. to his old club Real Madrid.
But in an interview in Saudi Arabia, this superstar confirmed that he would stay in this Middle Eastern country.
"I'm happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue to be here," he said.
"And in my opinion, if they continue to do the work they want to do here, then in the next five years I think the Saudi Arabian league could be one of the top five in the world. "
'I will be part of your world, your culture, I will be here, I hope I make the people enjoy through my games, my performance, and to win things, but again, thank you for welcoming me, and I will try to give my best during the time that I will be here.'
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will stay in Saudi Arabia next season, ending speculation linking him with a return to European football
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will stay in Saudi Arabia next season, ending speculation linking him with a return to European football
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January after an acrimonious departure from Manchester United
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January after an acrimonious departure from Manchester United
The 38-year-old has also spoken about some of the differences in training habits he has experienced since moving to Saudi.
He said:
'One example is in Europe we train more in the morning, but here we train in the afternoon, or evening and in Ramadan we train at 10 at night - so this is so strange, but as I tell you these situations are part of an experience, memories.
'I like to live these moments because you learn with these things. It is difficult, but it is nothing I have not seen before. My experience so far is that Saudi fans they really love football and like to live the life and it is good and I am so happy until now.'
Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 16 games since joining Al Nassr helping the club to second place in the Saudi Pro League behind Al Ittihad, who are managed by the Nuno Espirito Santo. In second place, Ronaldo said:
'Well my expectations are a little bit different, to be honest I expect to win something this year but it's not always the way we think or the way we want, sometimes we We need passion, perseverance and perseverance to achieve the best.
"So I still believe that next year we will improve a lot, let's say in the last five or six months the team has improved a lot, even the league, all the teams have improved.
“Sometimes it takes time, but if you believe in it and believe that it is your goal, I think anything is possible. I expected to win something this year, but we didn't, but next year I'm really optimistic and confident that things will change and we will be better. So believe in that and work on that.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals in 16 games since arriving in Saudi Arabia
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals in 16 games since arriving in Saudi Arabia
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