Benzema storms back to take acclaim as Aouar stars in Ittihad’s cup triumph

DUBAI: Form is temporary, class is permanent.

After a difficult start to his Al-Ittihad career, Karim Benzema has stormed back to his best to crown a sensational season with a two goal-performance as the Yellows added the King Cup to their recent Saudi Pro League triumph.

Team-mate Houssem Aouar was nominated as the man of the match in the 3-1 win over Al-Qadsiah in Friday’s final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

As the celebrations continued the day after the final, football accounts and fans — many from France and former club Real Madrid — across social media have been united in their praise for the former Ballon d’Or winner, who on Wednesday was named 2024-25 player of the season by the Saudi Pro League.

On X, @433, which has a following of 5.8 million, commented: “AL ITTIHAD WIN THE SAUDI DOUBLE! What a season for Karim Benzema: Saudi Pro League. King’s Cup. Player of the Year.”

Meanwhile @theMadridZone, with 1.4 million followers, posted a photo of Benzema with the King Cup and Saudi Pro league trophies following the presentation after Friday’s final.

Just three days earlier, the same account had posted: “Congratulations to Karim Benzema for winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad.  Champion wherever he goes.”

Al-Ittihad’s own English account on X had simply posted: “THE GOAT. Player of the Season @Benzema.”

The French star became the first player since Julio Tavares of Al-Faisaly to score twice in the final of Saudi Arabia’s premier cup competition with goals in the 34th minute and deep into stoppage time at the end of the match.

The first came from a clever chested effort from Steven Bergwijn’s cross from the right while the second was a simple tap-in from close inside the six-yard box to end