It was difficult for Saudi champions Al Ittihad to miss out on the opportunity to sign Karim Benzema, who holds the Golden Ball for the best player in the world, but not all the repercussions of the deal may be positive, as it puts the future of Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah, the top scorer in the Saudi league, at stake.

As soon as the Saudi league champions signed Real Madrid's second scorer in its history with 354 goals on Tuesday and after a busy career spanning 14 seasons, Al-Ittihad announced that the French striker will wear the number 9 shirt at the expense of Moroccan scorer Hamdallah.

Benzema is here 🤩✍️
A new tiger will roar 🐅
Welcome to Ittihad!#Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB

— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023

Some fan accounts linked to the Saudi club have also begun touting the idea of Hamdallah's departure after Benzema's arrival.

Confirmed the departure of Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah from Al-Ittihad Club, and Al-Ittihad Club is ready to receive offers to transfer the player.

– A year and a half we will not forget, thank you Abdul Razzaq 💔🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/BsYsrZmZ93

— Amphitheater | Golden (@A1modrj) June 6, 2023

Moroccan Hamdallah was one of the most important offensive weapons for Al Ittihad last season, and grabbed the spotlight in the same position as Benzema as an outright spearhead, taking advantage of his great experience as a champion and former scorer of the competition.

The 32-year-old Hamdallah, who is three years younger than Benzema, has scored 3 goals in 21 games and was the competition's top scorer after competing with two top scorers Anderson Talisca and Odion Ighalo.

More importantly than the number of goals, Hamdallah was decisive in the big matches, and was one of the most prominent reasons for Al-Ittihad's return to the podium in the Saudi Professional League for the first time since 2009.

Behind the scenes of the coronation🏆

🎙Hamed Al-Balawi: There is no disagreement between us, and our goal is the interest of the pic.twitter.com/3WFcWR4pyw Union

— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) June 5, 2023

After clinching the title of top scorer in the Saudi league for a third time, Hamdallah, who has scored more than 100 goals in the competition, seemed confident in his potential even as there was speculation of negotiations between Al Ittihad and Benzema.

Hamdallah welcomes Benzema

Hamdallah said less than a week ago: "Any player who comes welcome and can help the team, welcome and we do not have a problem."

"We are great players and we are used to competing inside the team and outside the team and we are there for anything."

🚨🚨🚨 Benzema arrives?

Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah: My brother, any player who comes is welcome and can help the team, you are welcome, and we do not have a problem, and we are great players and we are used to competing inside the team and outside the team, and we are there for anything.
(@FaresAlfazi)
@Mediaitti1 pic.twitter.com/Tqg9yQzAjU

— ITTI MANIA – ATI Mania (@IttiMania) June 1, 2023

There was no public comment from Hamdallah after the federation signed Benzema and the French striker received his shirt number, and possibly his position as well.

But as long as Benzema is healthy, Hamdallah is expected to lose his position as a key striker, and it seems difficult to change his position in the squad given the lack of speed and skill of the winger, for example.

Hamdallah's strength is summarized in his proper positioning, dangerous and intelligent movements in and around the penalty area and his deadly touches in the opponents' net.

But it may be unfortunate for the Moroccan striker, who has extended his contract with Al Ittihad until 2025, that these are almost the same strengths as Benzema, meaning that it is difficult for them to be both tactically involved in the starting line-up.

The coming days will reveal whether Hamdallah will accept a less important role, or look for another experience, as Cameroonian former Al Nasr striker Vincent Aboubacar did in January, who was ousted by the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid's all-time top scorer and former Benzema's team-mate.

So far, no decision has been made to leave or stay the player, "Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah", while the departure of (Bruno Henrique - Tariq Hamed - Helder Costa) was confirmed pic.twitter.com/yFO26g17gQ

— Abdullah Al-Shehri (@biq__) June 7, 2023

Will Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah leave from #الاتحاد pic.twitter.com/rUQQmPzg8l Club

— Saudi Trend (@AlTrendAlsaudi) June 4, 2023