'I Turn Pressure into Ambition to Drive My Success’: Former Ballon d'Or Winner Karim Benzema

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has embarked on a new chapter with Al-Ittihad. Settling quickly in Jeddah, the French superstar scored nine goals and provided seven assists in just 21 appearances during his first season in the Roshn Saudi Pro League. As the new season begins, Benzema shared his thoughts with RSL about what lies ahead for him and the club. The Roshn Saudi League features a host of football superstars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, and many others. Fans can catch the ultimate golazos and all the thrilling actions exclusively on Sony Sports Network.

Discussing the upcoming season and the pursuit of trophies, Benzema said, "This season marks a fresh chapter for the club. I’ve done everything possible to strengthen the team and make us better and stronger. I’m confident about our prospects, and now it’s time for us to fight together for trophies." He praised the team’s readiness, crediting a strong pre-season: "The preseason went exceptionally well. We trained twice a day for three weeks, which was intense. We demonstrated our readiness in the penultimate match against Inter Milan, a strong team, confirming that we can compete at a high level. Today, we are prepared."

Reflecting on his passion for football and how it has shaped his mindset, Benzema stated, "I’ve felt this pressure since I was eight years old, when I first started playing for a professional club. Over time, it has transformed into ambition. For this upcoming season, I view it not as pressure but as ambition. This mindset drives me to excel and help my team win, with the support of my teammates because football is a team sport. Fans always expect more. When you support a team, you want them to win and perform well, which can lead to occasional frustration. It’s up to us players to deliver. I believe the fans are like the twelfth man on the field. Here, they are fantastic, and this season, I’m sure they will be proud of us."

Saudi Arabia has become one of the most sought-after destinations for footballing superstars from around the world. Benzema envisions a future in the country beyond his playing career: "After my career, I plan to stay in Saudi Arabia and work on various future projects, particularly in soccer, to help develop the sport further each year."