Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid star, is keeping an eye on significant moves in Major League Soccer, according to a source close to him.
Currently, the 37-year-old Ballon d’Or winner is showcasing his talent with Al-Ittihad, the leading team in Saudi Arabia.
Insiders suggest that Benzema is considering a transfer ahead of next year’s World Cup, and he’s engaged immigration attorney Michael Wiles from New York to help him secure a U.S. visa.
Wiles, who has previously represented Melania Trump, referred to Benzema as “one of the greatest strikers of all time.”
While he didn’t disclose which type of visa Benzema is pursuing, he noted the confidentiality required by his client. Interestingly, Olivier Giroud, Benzema’s former teammate, successfully obtained a P-1 work permit before joining LAFC in Major League Soccer.
Benzema has made quite an impact in the Saudi league, netting 19 goals and providing nine assists in 27 matches, greatly aiding Al-Ittihad’s title chase.
His potential move to MLS could certainly affect Al-Ittihad, given his significant contributions to the team. There was an attempt to get a comment from an MLS representative, but the inquiry went unanswered, as did a request to Benzema’s attorney.
As a high-earning player, Benzema occupies one of the designated player slots at any clubs he joins. This arrangement, often referred to as the Beckham Rule, enables MLS teams to sign players beyond their salary cap limits.
Joining Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, Benzema helped the club clinch five Champions League titles along with four La Liga championships. Over 14 years, he accumulated 648 appearances and scored 354 goals, making him the second-highest scorer for the club after Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has also achieved the status of the most decorated Real Madrid player, sharing this title with Marcelo, as both hold 25 major honors. Benzema’s career has been punctuated with notable accolades, including five Club World Cup titles and three Copa del Rey victories.
At 34, he fulfilled a long-time dream by winning the Ballon d’Or, becoming the oldest recipient of the prestigious award since Stanley Matthews in 1956. This recognition is awarded annually by the French magazine France Football, with votes cast by leading journalists worldwide.
Despite his impressive international record of 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, Benzema missed the 2022 World Cup due to a thigh injury suffered just prior to the tournament. He announced his retirement from international soccer following France’s heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final.
Benzema made his international debut in 2007 and participated in both the 2007 and 2012 European Championships, as well as the 2014 World Cup. However, his career with the national team encountered turbulence due to a scandal involving a sex tape, which led to his exclusion from the team until his recall for Euro 2020.
In 2021, he received a suspended sentence and a fine for his involvement in an attempt to intimidate teammate Mathieu Valbuena, which included a damages payment to Valbuena as well.
