Amid the controversy surrounding French star Karim Benzema and his future with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, his Algerian teammate Houssem Aouar made notable statements, conveying a clear message about the team's unity and focus on its goals, regardless of any individual issues. Aouar's comments came after a period in which Benzema was absent from team training and speculation intensified regarding his potential departure during the winter transfer window.
During a press conference, Houssem Aouar emphasized that Al-Ittihad's strength lies in its collective spirit, not in relying on any single player, no matter how great. He said, " We have many leaders, and the most important thing is that we are a united team. We know our responsibility to the team, and we want to be united as players with the coaching staff and the fans ." Aouar added, with remarkable maturity, "The most important thing is to keep our minds clear. Every team faces challenges, and the key is to bounce back and maintain our momentum."
The context of Benzema's crisis in the Saudi League
The transfer of Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 marked one of the most significant events in the history of the Saudi Professional League. This move was part of a massive sporting project aimed at attracting top international stars to elevate the level of competition and draw global attention to the Kingdom. Despite a strong start, Benzema faced criticism as the team's results declined, and matters escalated when he missed the team's training camp in Dubai. This fueled rumors about his desire to leave, placing the club's management and players under immense pressure from the media and fans.
The importance and impact of Awar's statements
Houssem Aouar's statements carry particular weight for several reasons. Firstly, they come from a promising young player who recently joined the team and is expected to be a key pillar of its future. Secondly, these words help to calm the atmosphere in the team's dressing room and reassure fans that the players are focused solely on the pitch. Regionally, these statements reflect the professionalism with which players are beginning to handle the pressures of the Saudi League, which has become a global focus. They also underscore that the team's structure is bigger than any single star, a fundamental principle for achieving sustained success in football.
It is worth noting that these statements came at a time when Houssem Aouar himself was delivering outstanding individual performances, which gave his words greater credibility, as he proved through both performance and words that he is one of the elements that can be relied upon to lead the team in difficult times and overcome challenges to maintain the stability of “Al-Ittihad” and continue to compete strongly in all tournaments.
