Karim Benzema has been named Player of the Year in the Saudi Premier League. The 37-year-old Frenchman played a key role in Al-Ittihad’s championship win with 21 goals and nine assists.
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Al-Ittihad’s 2024/25 season will go down as one of the most memorable in the club’s illustrious history.
Claiming the Saudi Arabian championship for the tenth time, the Jeddah-based giants demonstrated a perfect blend of star power, tactical discipline, and collective resilience. The campaign was driven by big names and big performances, but no figure shone brighter than French striker Karim Benzema, whose move from Real Madrid to Saudi Arabia had generated enormous expectations expectations he not only met but exceeded.
Benzema’s arrival in the Saudi Pro League was one of the most talked-about transfers of the past year. As a Ballon d'Or winner and one of the most decorated strikers of his generation, many questioned whether the 37-year-old could maintain his elite level in a new and developing league. But Benzema answered all doubts emphatically. Week after week, he delivered performances full of elegance, power, and purpose. His 21 goals were not merely numbers; they came in crucial matches, often breaking deadlocks, turning games around, or sealing victories. Alongside the goals, his nine assists revealed a deeper layer of his influence he wasn’t just scoring, he was making those around him better.
More than just an individual standout, Benzema’s impact was woven into the fabric of Al-Ittihad’s playing style. He frequently dropped deep to link play, pulled defenders out of position with his movement, and remained deadly inside the box. His leadership qualities were equally important. In a league that is still building its identity and infrastructure, having a seasoned winner like Benzema who’s played and succeeded at the very highest levels was invaluable. He became the heartbeat of a team that blended experienced internationals with domestic talent.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular tally of 30 goals for Al-Nassr, Benzema’s overall contribution to a title-winning side gave him the edge in the end-of-season honors. Being named the Saudi Premier League’s Player of the Year was a testament not only to his statistics but to his wider role in Al-Ittihad’s resurgence. The award also symbolized a changing dynamic in the league: while Ronaldo remains an individual force of nature, Benzema was the leader of a collective that lifted silverware and that distinction mattered.
Laurent Blanc’s contribution to this historic success cannot be overstated. After years away from the limelight, the former French national team coach returned to club football with a point to prove. His appointment by Al-Ittihad raised eyebrows in some quarters, but Blanc responded with a masterclass in management. He built a squad that was tactically flexible, well-organized defensively, and ruthless in transition. His experience at PSG, where he managed egos and superstars with finesse, translated perfectly to his new challenge in Saudi Arabia.
What made Blanc’s achievement even more remarkable was the consistency his side showed across the entire campaign. While other clubs including star-studded teams like Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal suffered from moments of instability, Al-Ittihad remained focused and disciplined. Blanc’s ability to keep his squad motivated, to rotate players wisely, and to prepare for key matches with tactical precision earned him the title of Coach of the Year. It was his first major honor since 2016, when he lifted both the Ligue 1 trophy and Coupe de France with PSG. This new chapter in Saudi Arabia could well be the start of another successful phase in his managerial career.
But the story of the season may not be finished yet. Al-Ittihad are now just one match away from completing the domestic double. On Saturday, May 31, they will face Al-Qadisiya in the final of the King’s Cup a prestigious tournament that holds deep meaning in Saudi football. Winning it would not only add another trophy to an already historic campaign, but also reinforce the club’s dominance in the current era.
For the players, the coaching staff, and the passionate fanbase, a King’s Cup victory would be the perfect culmination of a journey marked by ambition, transformation, and triumph. It would also be a strong message to the rest of the footballing world: the Saudi Pro League is no longer just a destination for aging stars, but a competitive environment where high-level football is played, titles are fought for, and legends are still being made.
In a broader context, Al-Ittihad’s success, powered by global icons like Benzema and Blanc, illustrates the evolving nature of football in the Middle East. The Saudi Pro League has undergone rapid development, with significant investments in infrastructure, talent acquisition, and international exposure. What was once considered a second-tier competition is now beginning to challenge perceptions, attracting global audiences and positioning itself as a serious player on the world football stage.
As the curtain begins to fall on this incredible season, Al-Ittihad find themselves at the center of this transformation. They are not just champions of Saudi Arabia they are standard-bearers for what the league can become. And with the King’s Cup final looming, the chance to etch their names even deeper into footballing history is now just 90 minutes away.
Updated: 03:07, 29 May 2025
