Benzema broke his silence and revealed why he decided to sign with Al-Ittihad

In a decision that has left many perplexed, 35-year-old forward Karim Benzema has chosen not to renew his contract with Real Madrid and has accepted an offer to join Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman signed a three-year contract with the club on Tuesday, following a meeting with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Benzema's arrival in Saudi Arabia has sparked rumors of a possible exodus of high-profile players from top European leagues to the country. It is reported that N'Golo Kante and Wilfried Zaha are close to joining Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, respectively.

Benzema's departure leaves a void at Real Madrid, and fans will have to get used to seeing the talented French forward donning the colors of Al-Ittihad in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the football world eagerly awaits to see if other renowned players will follow in Benzema's footsteps and join Saudi clubs in search of new opportunities and lucrative contracts in the Saudi Arabian League.

<br/>This is what Benzema had to say

Al-Ittihad officially unveiled Benzema as their star signing on Thursday, and during his presentation, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner explained the reasons behind his decision to join the Saudi club, "I am Muslim, and this is a Muslim country. I have always wanted to live here," Benzema expressed to the club's media.