Benzema Urges Al Ittihad to Defend Crown in New RSL Season
Al Ittihad's French striker Karim Benzema emphasizes the need for collective effort and fan support as the team prepares for its title defense.
JEDDAH — Karim Benzema, the prominent French striker of Al Ittihad, has called on his team to replicate their championship-winning performance in the upcoming Saudi Pro League season.
The league and King’s Cup double winners from last year are set to begin their title defense away against Al Okhdood on Saturday.
Benzema, who captained Al Ittihad to victory last season with a total of 25 goals across all competitions, stressed the importance of collective success and acknowledged the role of the team's supporters in achieving their objectives.Reflecting on the previous year’s accomplishments, Benzema stated his happiness at having secured both the league and cup titles.
He praised the significant contributions made by his teammates and the fans, emphasizing that winning individual awards was only possible due to the team's collective efforts.
The former Ballon d’Or winner expressed gratitude towards Al Ittihad’s loyal fan base, referring to them as the “12th man” who played a crucial role in their triumphs.
He highlighted the unique bond shared between players and supporters, emphasizing how the fans' unwavering support pushed the team to victory.However, Benzema is aware that retaining their titles will be challenging this season.
With rivals such as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli making significant improvements to their squads, he believes that every opponent will present a tougher test than before.
Furthermore, Al Ittihad must balance their domestic commitments with their return to the AFC Champions League Elite, where city rivals Al Ahli hold the defending championship.Despite these challenges, Benzema remains optimistic about his team's potential for success.
He emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence and ambition throughout the season.
He also expresses a belief that the level of football in Saudi Arabia continues to rise each year due to the hard work and talent of local players, as well as the influx of European players and coaches.
The league and King’s Cup double winners from last year are set to begin their title defense away against Al Okhdood on Saturday.
Benzema, who captained Al Ittihad to victory last season with a total of 25 goals across all competitions, stressed the importance of collective success and acknowledged the role of the team's supporters in achieving their objectives.Reflecting on the previous year’s accomplishments, Benzema stated his happiness at having secured both the league and cup titles.
He praised the significant contributions made by his teammates and the fans, emphasizing that winning individual awards was only possible due to the team's collective efforts.
The former Ballon d’Or winner expressed gratitude towards Al Ittihad’s loyal fan base, referring to them as the “12th man” who played a crucial role in their triumphs.
He highlighted the unique bond shared between players and supporters, emphasizing how the fans' unwavering support pushed the team to victory.However, Benzema is aware that retaining their titles will be challenging this season.
With rivals such as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli making significant improvements to their squads, he believes that every opponent will present a tougher test than before.
Furthermore, Al Ittihad must balance their domestic commitments with their return to the AFC Champions League Elite, where city rivals Al Ahli hold the defending championship.Despite these challenges, Benzema remains optimistic about his team's potential for success.
He emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence and ambition throughout the season.
He also expresses a belief that the level of football in Saudi Arabia continues to rise each year due to the hard work and talent of local players, as well as the influx of European players and coaches.
