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Cristiano Ronaldo blocked a possible move for Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal this winter. This has also reportedly led to two other transfers being in danger.
Cristiano Ronaldo blocking Karim Benzema's move to Al-Hilal?
On Sunday, journalist Patrick Berger claimed that Karim Benzema is all set to join Al-Hilal from Al-Ittihad. However, on Monday, he claimed that the move could not materialize, saying on X:
"Everything is now completely open! Karim Benzema’s deal to Al Hilal is on the verge of collapsing. Crazy situation in"
Meanwhile, Journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported that the reason for this possible collapse is actually Ronaldo. He has now reported that this could also sabotage two other transfers. He has claimed that N'Golo Kante's move to Fenerbahce and Youssef En-Nesyri's move to Al-Ittihad will also collapse, writing on X:
"Cristiano Ronaldo's intervention in Karim Benzema's Al-Hilal transfer has caused [N'Golo] Kanté to be unable to sign with Fenerbahçe yet, while [Youssef] En-Nesyri has been unable to join Al-Ittihad. The clubs have finalized the agreements and submitted them to the Saudi Pro League; official signatures are on hold pending approval!"
Karim Benzema's stats for Al-Ittihad
Benzema joined Al-Ittihad after exiting Real Madrid in 2023. He has scored 54 goals and gave 17 assists in 83 games for the, winning the league last season. His contract with them is set to expire this summer.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy with Al-Nassr?
A report from A Bola says that Cristiano Ronaldo is sad about Al-Nassr and is refusing to play for them. Having joined them in January 2023, the Portuguese icon has failed to secure a major title with them. Hence, he is unhappy with the club's board for the inability to strengthen the team.
Amidst this, journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has claimed that Ronaldo is blocking Benzema's move to Al-Hilal because of competitive concerns. He said on X:
"Cristiano Ronaldo is opposing Karim Benzema’s transfer to Al-Hilal on the grounds that it would ‘damage the fair competition environment’. Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Benzema’s representative and the Saudi Pro League management are continuing their discussions to resolve the issue."
As per A Bola's report, Ronaldo signed a new deal last year and was hopeful of more passion from the board. However, it has not materialized yet. Meanwhile, he is not in Al-Nassr's squad for their Saudi Pro League game against Al-Riyadh on Monday.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after departing from Manchester United in January 2023. He has scored 111 goals and gave 22 assists in 127 games for them. His contract with the Knights of Najd will expire next season.
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