In a moment that has set football fans buzzing, Al-Ittihad star Karim Benzema delivered a biting response to a reporter’s question about his Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race with former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The exchange, which took place after Al-Ittihad’s latest victory, showcased Benzema’s focus on team success over individual accolades and added fuel to the growing rivalry between the two football icons in the Saudi Pro League.
The question came as Benzema, 37, continues to lead Al-Ittihad to the top of the league table with 68 points, while Ronaldo, 40, dominates the scoring charts with 23 goals for Al-Nassr. A reporter pressed Benzema on whether he could overtake Ronaldo for the Golden Boot, pointing out that Ronaldo currently has more goals. Benzema’s response was as sharp as it was dismissive: “I don’t care about this my friend, the most important thing is the trophy.”
The comment, laced with confidence and a hint of shade, quickly went viral on social media, with fans and pundits dissecting the Frenchman’s words. Many saw it as a subtle dig at Ronaldo, whose pursuit of individual records has often been a hallmark of his career. “Benzema just shut that down like a boss,” one fan posted on X, while another wrote, “Shots fired! KB9 is all about the team, not chasing CR7’s stats.”
Benzema’s focus on collective success over personal glory echoes his comments earlier this season. In February, he downplayed the Golden Boot race, saying, “I’m not this guy to think to score goals, score goals. It’s good to be there with Cristiano, but for me, the more important thing is to win the game.” With Al-Ittihad four points clear of second-placed Al-Hilal and ten points ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Benzema’s priorities appear firmly set on securing the Saudi Pro League title.
The rivalry between Benzema and Ronaldo, once comrades during their trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, has taken on a new edge in Saudi Arabia. While Ronaldo claimed the Golden Boot last season with a record-breaking 35 goals, Benzema has emerged as a serious contender this year, trailing by just a handful of goals. However, Benzema’s latest remarks suggest he’s more interested in lifting silverware than matching Ronaldo’s scoring tally.
Football analysts have noted the contrast in their approaches. “Ronaldo thrives on individual milestones, and that’s part of what makes him a legend,” said Saudi football commentator Faisal Al-Ghamdi. “Benzema, on the other hand, is showing he’s all about the bigger picture. That response was a masterclass in keeping the focus on what matters to him.”