Al-Ittihad legend Mohamed Noor has launched a stinging attack on Karim Benzema following the Frenchman’s move to rivals Al-Hilal.
Benzema joined Al-Hilal on an 18-month deal as a free agent after leaving Al-Ittihad last month, a switch that has not gone down well with former players of the Jeddah club. Al-Hilal are currently battling Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr for the Saudi Pro League title.
Speaking on the Our League is Different show, Noor accused Benzema of failing to justify the backing he received from Al-Ittihad supporters and questioned both his contribution and status in Saudi football.
“When Benzema joined Al-Ittihad, he didn’t contribute much in his first season,” Noor said. “Still, the fans stood by him. They supported him, chanted his name and pushed him forward.”
Noor acknowledged that Benzema improved in his second campaign, stressing that the supporters played a major role in that turnaround.
“He didn’t score many penalties, but the fans never turned on him. They stayed with him until the team won both the league and the cup.”
However, Noor was angered by the manner of Benzema’s exit, particularly the fact that Al-Ittihad received no transfer fee.
“Is it fair to join the team and then decide you don’t want to play with them anymore?” he asked. “With all due respect, he’s not even close to being as good as Cristiano Ronaldo, and he doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.”
Noor also insisted Benzema had no right to force a move while still under contract.
“If he didn’t want to continue, the club should at least have been compensated. He still had a contract. If he wanted Al-Hilal, he should have finished his deal first.”
Benzema had been pushing for an exit during the January transfer window and missed Al-Ittihad’s final two matches before completing his move on deadline day. Talks over a new contract reportedly broke down after the club proposed terms that would have significantly reduced his pay despite six months remaining on his deal.
That disagreement ultimately led to Benzema’s departure — and, judging by Noor’s comments, left lasting bitterness behind.
Leave a Reply