Karim Benzema - players.bio

Benzema’s Al-Ittihad avoid facing Man City in semifinals of Saudi-hosted FIFA Club World Cup

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad and their star striker Karim Benzema avoided Manchester City in the semifinals draw Tuesday for the first FIFA Club World Cup to be hosted by the kingdom. The Dec. 12-22 tournament for continental champions and the host nation’s league winner will be played in Al-Ittihad’s home city Jeddah – the latest statement of Saudi ambitions in global soccer including aiming to host the men’s World Cup in 2034. The event will be the last Club World Cup in the current annual format before a 32-team version played every four years starts in June 2025. The inaugural host is the United States. Al-Ittihad will open the seven-team tournament against Auckland City, the champion of Oceania. The winner will advance to face African champion Al-Ahly of Egypt in the second round for a place in the semifinals against the champion of South America. The Copa Libertadores is currently at the semifinals stage featuring Boca Juniors of Argentina and Brazilian clubs Palmeiras, Fluminense and Internacional. Man City, as the champion of Europe, also get direct entry to the semifinals and will play either Club León of Mexico or Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. The final on Dec. 22 will be played at the 62,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City, home of Al-Ittihad.

Saudi clubs of Ronaldo, Benzema and Co to play Asian Champions League games in Iran

Saudi Pro League superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar will be allowed to play Asian Champions League games in Iran after the Asian Football Confederation announced a “groundbreaking agreement” between the two countries' federations.

Magic Mitrovic gives Hilal stunning Classico comeback win over Ittihad

The facts say that Al-Hilal won 4-3 at Al-Ittihad on Friday but there was a great deal more to this seven-goal thriller. With two thirds of the Classico gone, Al-Ittihad were cruising, 3-1 to the good and heading for a fifth win out of five this season but then, incredibly, the defending champions who not conceded a single goal in the first 360 minutes of Roshn Saudi League football, conceded three in the space of ten second half minutes as Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a hat-trick, the headlines and three points for the Riyadh giants. It was a stunning comeback and result.

Three Manchester United players could be handed transfer lifeline after summer window closes

It's been a long summer transfer window for Manchester United.

Neymar and Benzema in race against time to be fit for 'Saudi clasico'

Nearly a month after they clashed in the quarter-finals of the King Salman Cup, Saudi Arabia’s two most successful clubs – Al Ittihad and Al Hilal – find themselves face to face again, this time in matchweek 5 of the Saudi Pro League.

Saudi Pro League chief Carlo Nohra: Superstar signings key to long-term ambitions

The Saudi Pro League will continue to invest significantly to realise its ambition of becoming one of the world’s top domestic competitions, but its focus is on financial viability for its clubs, insists the league’s chief operating officer.

Deadly Ronaldo puts Al-Shabab to the sword in Riyadh Derby

It was the Cristiano Ronaldo show once more on Tuesday as he inspired Al-Nassr to a 4-0 win over Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab with two goals, two assists and plenty more besides, just four days after a hat-trick against Al-Fateh.

Ronaldo’s traditional Ardah dance praised by Saudi fans

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo endeared himself further to his Saudi fans on Tuesday as he celebrated scoring by performing the Ardah, one of Saudi Arabia’s most recognizable traditional dances. The Al-Nassr captain had a good night in front of goal, scoring two despite having a goal disallowed. When he slotted home the team’s second, the Portuguese international turned to the home supporters and with a hand held high, performed his version of the Ardah. The dance is one of the Kingdom’s foremost performance traditions, and in 2015 was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. It’s performed on special occasions including official visits by world leaders, national holidays, and cultural festivals. “Since his first day in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano’s statements contain love, respect and appreciation for Saudi Arabia and for the great project that we are pursuing, and today he celebrates with Ardah,” one user said on social media. Another posted: “The best player in the world doesn’t just score goals, he is also exporting Saudi culture to the world.” In the Ardah, performances start with a chant that was once used to rouse warriors facing an enemy. And in that spirit the global superstar was looking to lead his team to victory after a disastrous start to the season, losing to Steven Gerrard-led Al-Ettifaq, and Al-Taawoun. And that was exactly what he did. Ronaldo’s two penalties lifted Nassr to a 4-0 win over Al-Shabbab at Al-Awwal Park in the Saudi capital. Shabab was without doubt Nassr’s toughest challenge yet of the new season, but the home team looked comfortable throughout. Ronaldo also selflessly stepped aside to allow Abdulrahman Ghareeb to take a penalty kick on the 63rd minute even though the Portuguese

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Karim Benzema Sport News

Benzema’s Al-Ittihad avoid facing Man City in semifinals of Saudi-hosted FIFA Club World Cup

Saudi clubs of Ronaldo, Benzema and Co to play Asian Champions League games in Iran

Magic Mitrovic gives Hilal stunning Classico comeback win over Ittihad

Three Manchester United players could be handed transfer lifeline after summer window closes

Neymar and Benzema in race against time to be fit for 'Saudi clasico'

Saudi Pro League chief Carlo Nohra: Superstar signings key to long-term ambitions

Deadly Ronaldo puts Al-Shabab to the sword in Riyadh Derby

Ronaldo’s traditional Ardah dance praised by Saudi fans