Despite Boasting $200 Million Paycheck, Karim Benzema Gets Massive $16 Million Blow in Transfer Market After Joining Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad

Karim Benzema surprised everyone by accepting a monstrous proposal from the Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad this summer. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner single-handedly took Real Madrid the UEFA Champions League glory in the same year. Despite this, the French forward has suffered a blow of 16 million in the transfer market valuation after his Saudi Arabia move. With Cristiano Ronaldo leaving for Al Nassr, it opened the gates for other players to join the Middle East clubs. 

Despite the downgraded market valuation, Benzema mentioned in his interviews that he is already relishing his time in the Saudi Pro League. Hence, the fluctuations in his market value amazed the soccer fraternity just after they valued him at over $31 million last year.

Karim Benzema suffers a massive blow in his market value!

Al Ittihad acquired star striker Karim Benzema from Real Madrid this summer for their title challenge. The move stunned the soccer fraternity as he had just won the Ballon d’Or for his performances last season with Real Madrid. Nonetheless, Karim Benzema said that the move enabled him to try an unexplored league and spend more time with his family. In addition, a bumper pay rise fueled the move as he earns over $200 million per year. His move to the cash-rich league has affected his transfer market valuation, however.

According to the Transfermarkt website, Karim Benzema’s valuation was reduced to 15 million. Hence, the valuation has taken a hit of 16 million from the original 31 million dollars. It will not concern Benzema, as the market valuation takes significant hits after a move to a different league.

On and off the pitch, players improved the Saudi Pro League quality. So it should not take long before the cash-rich league has players relaunching their careers and retaining their superstar soccer player tag.

READ MORE: Al Hilal Star Snubs Both Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo to Bet on $30 Million Al-Nassr Star’s Prospects in Current Saudi League Season

Saudi League is set to receive massive sponsorships!

The signings of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar look like the introductory influx of characters in the league. The superstar players have increased the viewership and sponsorships of the league as TV ratings are on a high. More countries are now ready to buy the media rights of the cash-rich league to boost the league’s popularity. The league organizers are now more than happy to invest colossal capital in transfers and give astronomic wages to the players.

The likes of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have also benefitted the young generation of Saudi Arabia. The country’s next generation realizes there is ambition and adequate funds for the sport. In fact, most teams invest well in the academies to develop world-class Saudi soccer players for the present and future.

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Despite some fans trolling Karim Benzema for making a move to the cash-rich league, their improvement remains true to the naked eye. Will the Saudi Pro League become as popular as the English Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.