The signing of French star Karim Benzema, winner of the Ballon d'Or, by Saudi club Al-Ittihad has sparked widespread speculation about the future of Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, who was the team's star striker before this historic transfer. Despite reports of potential offers for Hamdallah, multiple sources and reliable press reports have confirmed that the club's management and coaching staff are committed to keeping the Moroccan striker as a key part of the club's ambitious sporting project.
General context: The transfer revolution in the Saudi League
This controversy comes amidst a historic transformation in the Saudi Professional League, where the Public Investment Fund launched a massive project to attract the world's top football stars. This revolution began with Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, followed by high-profile transfers such as Benzema joining Al-Ittihad and Neymar joining Al-Hilal. This development has raised the level of competition to unprecedented levels and forced clubs to reassess their squads, placing the future of some players, even prominent ones like Hamdallah, under intense media and public scrutiny.
The importance of Hamdallah staying and his expected impact
Domestically, Hamdallah is considered one of the most successful strikers in the history of the Saudi League. He played a crucial role in Al-Ittihad's league title win last season, earning the Golden Boot as the league's top scorer. His continued presence alongside Benzema gives the team a formidable attacking force that is difficult for any defense to contain, thus enhancing the club's chances of competing strongly for all domestic and continental titles, most notably the AFC Champions League. Regionally and internationally, the presence of a strike partnership of Benzema and Hamdallah's caliber at a Saudi club reinforces the league's image as an attractive destination for stars and strongly indicates that Saudi clubs are not only seeking to acquire big names but also to build well-rounded teams capable of achieving major successes.
Tactical challenge and technical harmony
The biggest challenge facing the team's coach, Nuno Santo, remains finding the optimal tactical formula that allows both strikers to utilize their abilities together in the same lineup without negatively impacting the team's balance. Some matches have demonstrated the duo's ability to gel, with Benzema tending to move outside the penalty area and create plays, while Hamdallah excels as a classic finisher inside the box. If this duo succeeds in achieving complete harmony, Al-Ittihad's attack will become a formidable force on the Asian and global football scene.
