Depending on how Lionel Messi’s scenario plays out, he may end up having a deal that is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s.

On June 30, Karim Benzema will sign with a new team. The Frenchman, who was previously paid less than Cristiano Ronaldo, rose to the position of second-highest-paid player in the world after accepting a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Because Lionel Messi would surpass both of the former Real Madrid players if he accepts the 400 million euro Saudi offer, everything rests on his fate.

 

On Sunday, Benzema agreed to an agreement that would keep him bound to his contract until 2025, with an option to extend until 2026.

He will receive 100 million euros per season in addition to a 20 million euro bonus as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is vying to host.

The former Real Madrid footballer would thus be compensated for at least 220 million euros and possibly as much as 320 million euros.

Given that he made 28 million euros per season at Real Madrid, the difference is sizable.

Additionally, because there is no income tax in Saudi Arabia, he will pay much less in taxes.

In other words, Karim Benzema will make 86 million euros more every season than he earned at Real Madrid in net numbers, which were about 14 million euros, even without the 20 million euros in bonuses.

Another indication that Saudi Arabia is placing significant bets on the success of the Arab League is the matchup of Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema’s upcoming squad, has some interesting stats:

The Frenchman will be a part of a squad that defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, who had just lost to Real Madrid and Karim Benzema in the Club World Cup final, to win the Arab League.

The Santos left the Premier League after playing for Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Santo Tome native moved to Arab football after leaving Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

This list also includes Abderrazak Hamdallah, whose 21 goals helped Morocco finish a record-breaking fourth at the World Cup in Qatar.

The King Abdullah Sports City, where Real Madrid won the inaugural Spanish Super Cup to be played in Arabia in 2020, is already acquainted to the French striker because it is Al-Ittihad’s home stadium.

The team has also won five AFC Championships, nine Leagues, nine King’s Cups, eight Princes’ Cups, three Federation Cups, one Super Cup, one Cup Winners’ Cup, one Arab Champions League, and one Gulf Club Cup.