"It's important that Ronaldo is in Saudi Arabia, he's a very big player"

Karim Benzema, who has left Real Madrid after 14 seasons, has already been officially presented as Al Ittihad's new player on Thursday. The striker spoke to the press about his new destination.
"The stadium is exceptional, and as I said and will repeat, there's so much passion. A good team always needs fans. The fans are very important, and with that passion, it gives us the motivation to be best on the field," he said.
"I hope for my new club, what I'll be able to bring is my football and most importantly to be able to win titles. It's a new chapter for me and I would like to further advance the club.
"I would like to leave a lasting legacy, because I love football. I always have this competitiveness to push my limits and go even higher. That's why I'm going to be well prepared to give them and show them my talent," Benzema added.
The Frenchman also explained his decision to join the Saudi club: "Well, because I'm Muslim and it's a Muslim country. I've always wanted to live there. I've already been to Saudi Arabia, and I feel good about it.
"I feel people already like me. And living in Saudi will allow me to have a new life. I would like to learn Arabic and speak fluently, it's important for me. I've already been to Saudi Arabia, Mecca is very close. and as a believer it's important for me - this is where I will feel at my best and in my element."
Finally, the 35-year-old praised his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo: "It's important also that Ronaldo is in Saudi Arabia, because he's a very big player. He brings a lot to the game in this country and that will further elevate their playing level.
"So it's important to show that Saudi football can have a global impact, because it's not about playing in Saudi Arabia or not performing," he concluded.