Benzema interview: Al Ittihad will 'fight until end' to retain RSL title | OneFootball

Much like his ultimately prophetic call to action 12 months ago, Roshn Saudi League-winning captain Karim Benzema has urged Al Ittihad to deliver again this season, as the champions begin their title defence at Al Okhdood on Saturday.

The Jeddah giants were the RSL's dominant side last term, sealing the trophy by eight points to claim a second championship in three seasons. Al Ittihad concluded a superb campaign on an ever greater high, claiming the double when they defeated Al Qadsiah in the Kings Cup final.

Of course, Benzema lead from the front, scoring twice in that showpiece to sign off on a phenomenal second season in Saudi football. The legendary French forward scored 25 goals across both competitions, including 21 goals and registering nine assists in the RSL.

In addition to the team trophies, Benzema picked up the ultimate individual accolade by being named the 2024-25 RSL Player of the Season.

Check out the best images from Al Ittihad's title ceremony

22 Photos

Reflecting now on last term's amazing success, Benzema told the Saudi Pro League: “I’m very happy finally to have won the league and the cup, which were very important. For me the most important thing is collective trophies.

"Then, to win an individual award, as I always say, it’s thanks to all my teammates at the club. So, thank you to them, and thank you to the fans as well.

“I said before: one way or another, I was going to win in Saudi Arabia. Thanks also to the people who put their trust in me. We won trophies all together. I’m someone who doesn’t give up until I achieve my goals. It was a lot of hard work, so I’m super happy and I hope it continues.”

Karim Benzema presented RSL trophy by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport

The former Ballon d'Or winner also reserved special praise for Al Ittihad’s supporters, adding: “We’re lucky to have the best supporters in Saudi. Whether at home or away, they’re there. They sing, they push us forward.

"We always need what’s called the ‘12th man’, the support of the fans. There’s a real connection with the supporters, and we thank them for the trophies by giving everything on the pitch. It’s really important for us to have fans like ours - and I hope we can continue this way.”

Benzema and his Al Ittihad teammates are naturally taking into the new campaign plenty of confidence from last season’s success.

However, the club captain is aware that winning the double again will be more challenging than ever ahead of the 2025-26 season's big kick-off on Thursday.

The RSL is the most competitive it’s ever been, with clubs across the Kingdom recruiting top talent this summer to strengthen their squads, while Al Ittihad will also have to balance domestic duties with a return to the AFC Champions League Elite (Jeddah rivals Al Ahli are the reigning champions).

Asked how Al Ittihad can reach new heights, Benzema said: “You just have to look at what we did last year, take everything we did – all the moments that helped us win those trophies – and achieve even more this year.

"Because the opponents will be tougher. Teams have strengthened. Now, every team wants to beat Al Ittihad. We need confidence and ambition.

“We can’t always predict the future. But what I can say is that we’ll fight until the end and we’ll do everything to win more trophies, which are the most important thing in football. And above all, to bring joy to everyone.”

Benzema, one of the greatest strikers in history and a five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, was among the headline names to spearhead a new era for Saudi football when he swapped the Spanish capital for Jeddah in 2023.

When Benzema landed in the Kingdom, he was football's reigning Ballon d'Or.

“The level of football in Saudi is rising every year," Benzema said. "There are very good Saudi players, and I think with hard work, and with the arrival of European players and European coaches, Saudi football can rise even higher.”