Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo spent years as teammates at Real Madrid, dominating European football together. Now, they find themselves in a new chapter of their careers, battling for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League.
Benzema, now 37, made the move to Al-Ittihad in 2023, following in the footsteps of his former Real Madrid strike partner. Since arriving in the Middle East, the Frenchman has proven he still has plenty left to offer, scoring an impressive 33 goals in 52 appearances for his club.
This season alone, he has netted 15 times in the Saudi top flight, placing him just one goal behind Ronaldo, who continues to defy age at Al-Nassr despite recently celebrating his 40th birthday.
Despite the personal rivalry in the race for the Golden Boot, Benzema remains focused on team success. Speaking to the Saudi Pro League’s official website, he downplayed the significance of individual accolades.
“I want to say something: I’m not the kind of player who only thinks about scoring goals. Of course, it’s great to be competing with Cristiano, but for me, the most important thing is winning games. If I can score to help my team, I’m happy.”
Benzema has always been known for his ability to link up play and create chances for his teammates, a quality he still prioritizes. “I enjoy football by scoring goals, making assists, and helping my team. That’s what matters most to me,” he added.
Al-Ittihad currently sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League after 20 matches, holding a four-point lead over Al-Hilal, who recently parted ways with Brazilian superstar Neymar. Al-Nassr, despite Ronaldo’s prolific form, find themselves eight points adrift, struggling to mount a serious title challenge.
With two legendary forwards going head-to-head in the scoring charts, the Saudi Pro League has never been more exciting. Whether Benzema or Ronaldo finishes as the league’s top scorer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—both continue to light up the pitch, proving their class even in the twilight of their careers.