600 million euros for three seasons

Karim Benzema is continuing his career at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. He signs a contract for two seasons with an option for a third season. The French center striker will be richly rewarded for his new adventure. He will receive 200 million euros per season, according to the usually well-informed Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

Benzema will also become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2030 World Cup. The Frenchman will be paid well for that too: 20 million euros.

The Frenchman had bid farewell to Real Madrid on Tuesday afternoon. The 35-year-old striker did so in a private 20-minute meeting that only players, family members and close friends were allowed to attend.

Benzema transferred from Olympique Lyon in 2009 and played 647 games for the Madrid side. He won a record 25 titles with the club, including five times the Champions League, four national titles and three times the Spanish Cup.

He scored 353 times for Real, placing him second on the top scorer list behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals for Real Madrid.

Benzema will face his former teammate in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo has been playing for Al-Nassr since this season.