12 October 2023 , 13:22
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Karim Benzema insists he's "happy" in Saudi Arabia - despite other players regretting the decision to quit European football.
It's claimed several superstars are hating every minute of their Saudi Pro League adventure and want to secure a return to European football in the near future. Countless players were recruited by the mega-rich division during the summer, including Benzema.
Liverpool icons Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum joined Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq but have since been humbled by playing in front of tiny crowds. Fewer than 1,000 fans turned up to watch Al-Ettifaq's win against Abha last month.
Although the statistics are embarrassing for the likes of Henderson, Benzema has defended Saudi Arabia's league in an interview with their media team. The reigning Ballon d'Or holder claims the standard is good - insisting he's "pleased and surprised" by it.
"I'm really surprised and pleased about the level of the game here," said Benzema. "(I'm) really surprised because in Europe we don't watch much football from here. Nowadays we are watching more and more because of the big names they signed."
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The likes of Aleksandr Mitrovic, Sadio Mane, Neymar, Ruben Neves, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, N'Golo Kante, Edourard Mendy, Aymeric Laporte, Fabinho, Allan Saint-Maximin and Marcelo Brozovic all joined the Saudio Pro League during the summer.
Benzema's comments come after The Sun claimed several players and managers are regretting moving to Saudi Arabia. Attendances are poor in the league, with 11 clubs averaging below 5,000 spectators at home games. Two of those club average below 2,000.
Jordan Henderson's new club play in front of small crowds (Getty Images)What's your opinion on the Saudi Pro League? Let us know in the comments below!
Yet Benzema's testimony is a boost for the Saudi Pro League. He added: "What made me come here? Well, with everything I've made and gained with Real Madrid, I think it was for me the good moment to try a new challenge.
"For a really long time even before football, I always wanted to come here. And the football project came in. It was a project just starting to burst from everywhere, so on my side I really wanted to be part of the story. I really wanted to help Saudi football grow.
"That's the reason why I wanted to come here. But it's also a Muslim country (Benzema is Muslim) and they welcomed me with their arms wide open. Straight away I felt this love for me... when you travel there (to Mecca), you're in the truth. In the truth for a Muslim.
"You feel good and pure, it's simply exceptional. It's something I wish all Muslims could go to one day. That's where the truth is. It does a lot of good. On and off the pitch I feel good... I feel the love of the people here, so obviously that makes me happy."