A few months ago, after the transfer of the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi victory, a number of names nominated to join the "Madeira Rocket" to the Kingdom were put forward in the media and through social media, led by the stars Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema.
At the time, Messi was more in the spotlight because of his overwhelming stardom and victory with Argentina, but the "government" was apparently cooking his move to the federation on low heat, away from cameras, flashes, social media and publications.
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A few weeks ago, news surfaced that Benzema had "verbally" informed Real Madrid of his agreement to extend for one season until the summer of 2024, a custom adopted by the monarchy as he renews the contract of his stars for one season when they get older, but he did not sign in writing or set a date for the announcement to the media.
This news took a new turn when the federation's presentation came out to the media with its details: a two-season contract for 100 million euros net, in addition to the player's full image rights - worth millions - as well as other privileges.
When a journalist asked Benzema about his future, his answer was not clear but rather hazy and could be the two destinations: to leave and stay, and he said that the internet is not the truth, and that he will be present in Real Madrid's next match (tonight against Athletic Bilbao).
The Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti "Merengue" was also decisive in the issue of Benzema's stay, and said: "Benzema has a clause that allows him to extend his contract until the summer of 2024, so I have no doubts about his stay in the team."
Here, talk gradually began about a change in the position of the best player in the world last season, and that he told his club of the offer and that he is studying it seriously, to come out today almost certain news that Benzema accepted the offer of the Saudi Federation, followed by a statement from Real Madrid announcing the player's departure at the end of the season after the termination of his contract "by mutual consent", after 14 seasons and a career full of titles.
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A few hours before the last league match against Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and captain Karim Benzema have reached an agreement to end his wonderful and memorable spell as a player at our club," said a statement from Real Madrid.
"Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema deserved the right to decide his own future."
Shortly after Benzema's departure was announced on Sunday, Saudi Arabia's official news channel Al-Ikhbariya revealed that Ittihad Jeddah had reached an agreement with him on a two-season contract.
The channel reported that the president of Al-Ittihad club Anmar Al-Haili and his deputy Ahmed Kaaki are in the Spanish capital Madrid, to officially sign with Benzema in a record transfer from Real Madrid, while Al-Ittihad club has not announced anything yet.
Al-Ittihad won the Saudi league title this season for the first time since 2009, after a strong race with Al-Nasr and its captain Ronaldo.
The federation hopes to include the best player in the world for 2022, to participate in its ranks in the next Club World Cup scheduled for next December in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema, who joined Real in 2009 from Olympique Lyonnais, became the team's spearhead and the biggest threat after Ronaldo's departure to Juventus in 2018.
Benzema has scored more than 350 goals for Real and is second in the club's all-time top scorers behind Ronaldo.
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2021-2022 was Benzema's best season with the team, scoring 44 goals in all competitions, leading his team to extend their record for the number of Champions League wins with their 14th title, as well as being crowned La Liga champions.
In the Champions League, Real helped overturn their deficit in the round of sixteen, quarter-finals and semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, by scoring in the second leg in each confrontation.
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Thanks to his pivotal role, he won the Ballon d'Or to become the first Frenchman to win the award since Zinedine Zidane did it in 1998 and fifth overall.
He won 25 titles with Real, including the Champions League 5 times, La Liga 4 times and the Copa del Rey 3 times.
Benzema's departure came a day after Real announced Eden Hazard's departure from the club after the two parties agreed to terminate his contract, which has one year left, by mutual consent, and the club also confirmed the departure of midfielder Marco Asensio and striker Mariano Diaz.