Featured Image Credit: Twitter/MaanAlquiae
Topics: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League, Football
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League, Football
Karim Benzema called out a reporter in a fiery interview after scoring a hat-trick on debut for his new club Al Hilal.
Ex-Real Madrid striker Benzema, 38, rejected the offer of a contract extension at former club Al Ittihad to join one of their biggest rivals Al Hilal on Monday.
The move sent shockwaves across the Saudi Pro League, with ESPN claiming that Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to block Benzema's transfer as he felt it was unfair.
It is claimed that Ronaldo felt the transfer 'indicated that Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) wanted to pave the way for Al Hilal to win the title' with the signing of his former Madrid teammate.
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Ronaldo refused to play in Al Nassr's match against Al Riyadh on Monday and is reportedly set to boycott their next game against Benzema's former club Al Ittihad on Friday.
Despite Ronaldo's actions, Benzema completed his move to Al Hilal on Monday and made the perfect start at his new club - scoring a hat-trick as they beat Al Akhdoud 6-0 away from home on Thursday night.
That win sent Al Hilal three points clear of Al Ahli at the top of the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo's Al Nassr a point further back having played one game less.
After the match, Benzema clashed with a reporter after he was repeatedly asked why he chose to leave Al Ittihad for Al Hilal.
"Do you want to talk about the game or do you want to talk about that? Talk about the game," said the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner.
"It was a nice performance. I feel good. With these kind of players on this team, we play and fight together."
A reporter then asked: "Do you mean they [Al Hilal players] helped you more than Al Ittihad players?"
To which Benzema fired back: "I didn't say that. I said I feel good - it's different."
The striker was then asked: "Why didn't you say goodbye to the Al Ittihad players?"
A visibly angry Benzema immediately shot back: "What? You know? You know? Ask them."
The controversy surrounding Benzema's transfer and Ronaldo's boycott prompted the Saudi Pro League to issue a public statement, appearing to call out the Portuguese star in a rare rebuke.
A statement read: "The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.
"Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership.
"Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.
"That framework applies equally across the league."
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Ronaldo plans to boycott Al Nassr's match against Al Ittihad on Friday in a continued protest.
The Portugal international is said to remain 'upset' about PIF's management with some Saudi clubs including his own.