French star Karim Benzema, captain of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad and former Real Madrid legend, praised the decision to hold the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah, describing the event as a golden opportunity to enjoy world-class football in an unparalleled atmosphere. These remarks coincide with the Red Sea city hosting the tournament, which features fierce competition between Spanish football giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and Atlético Madrid.
Unforgettable memories in Saudi stadiums
In an exclusive interview with the Ministry of Sports' official account, Benzema reminisced about his memorable time in the Kingdom before joining the Roshan League, saying, "I remember those wonderful moments when I first played here and won the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid. It was an unforgettable match with a huge crowd." The French striker added, expressing his amazement at the immense popularity of Spanish clubs in Saudi Arabia, "The stadium was covered in white in support of Real Madrid, which was a small surprise to me, as I didn't know that the fans here were so attached to and passionate about Spanish football.".
Public passion: The defining characteristic
Benzema emphasized that the passionate fan support in Saudi Arabia is a unique strength, noting that the stadiums are always alive with energy. He said, "What I admire most about the fans here is that the stands are always full, and even when they aren't completely full, the fans never stop cheering and chanting. This is a very important factor for us as players." He explained that this constant support has been a source of motivation for him throughout his career, considering himself fortunate to play in front of fans who appreciate football and support their teams with such passion.
Saudi Arabia is a global destination for sports
Hosting the Spanish Super Cup in the Kingdom is not a fleeting event, but rather part of a long-term strategy that began in 2020. The Saudi Ministry of Sport successfully brought this prestigious tournament to the Kingdom, reflecting the great confidence that international and European federations place in its organizational capabilities. Previous editions, held in both Jeddah and Riyadh, have witnessed unparalleled success, enhancing the tournament's prestige and significantly increasing its marketing and audience returns compared to previous editions in Spain.
Vision 2030 and the Great Sports Transformation
These events are part of the goals of "Vision 2030," which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading global destination in various fields, most notably sports. In addition to the Spanish Super Cup, the Kingdom is hosting the Italian Super Cup, Formula 1 races, world boxing matches, and major tennis and golf tournaments. This sporting activity not only contributes to raising the quality of life but also boosts sports tourism and draws global attention to the tremendous development taking place in the country's infrastructure and sports sector, as confirmed by statements from international stars like Benzema, who have become part of this ambitious project.
