Karim Benzema was unable to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League top scorer rankings as Al-Ittihad settled for a 1-1 draw against Al-Khaleej, a team 27 points below them, at Dammam’s Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium. The match saw Benzema make his mark with a low strike in the 34th minute, which was saved by goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.
Despite Al-Khaleej’s dominance in the first half, Al-Ittihad improved in the second half, with N’Golo Kante leading the charge. Abdulrahman Alobud scored for Al-Ittihad in the 78th minute, but a late equalizer from Kostas Fortounis resulted in a draw for the ninth-placed team.
In the ongoing battle between Benzema and Ronaldo for the top scorer title, both players have scored 16 goals in the 2024/25 Pro League season. However, Benzema has contributed more assists than Ronaldo, with seven to Ronaldo’s three assists for Al-Nassr.
With Al-Ittihad maintaining a five-point lead over Al-Hilal and nine points above Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, the competition remains intense with 12 matches left in the season.
Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad in 2023 has been fruitful, with the French striker aiming to promote football in Saudi Arabia and attract more European players to the league. His impressive goal-scoring record at Real Madrid has solidified his status as one of the league’s top talents.
Despite a turbulent first season in Saudi Arabia, Benzema has found success under the guidance of manager Laurent Blanc and the leadership of sporting director Ramon Planes. His impact on the team’s performance has been evident, with key goals contributing to their current position at the top of the table.