Al Ittihad quickly took the lead after a smooth French connection: Karim Benzema scored the opening goal in the 15th minute after receiving a superb assist from Moussa Diaby. However, Al Nassr managed to find an equalizer 30 minutes in. Following a swift counterattack, the squad managed by Jorge Jesus leveled the score through a strike from Brazilian midfielder Angelo.

The joy was short-lived, however, as Houssem Aouar scored just 15 minutes later to secure the decisive 2-1 lead before halftime. Upon returning for the second half, Al Ittihad was dealt a setback when Ahmed Al Julaydan received a red card. Despite numerous attempts to equalize the match, Al Nassr failed to find the net again, resulting in their elimination from the King’s Cup.

Approximately one hour after the match concluded, Cristiano Ronaldo took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a clear statement regarding the tough loss. “We stand tall, learn, and move forward together,” CR7 wrote.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s title drought

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the undisputed centerpiece of Al Nassr since his high-profile arrival in 2022. The Portuguese icon remains the team’s leading scorer, having tallied 107 goals in 114 matches. However, despite his phenomenal individual production, he has yet to secure a single major official trophy with the club.

Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in soccer history with 950 goals, has been defeated in all three finals he has contested with Al Nassr. This streak includes a penalty shootout loss to Al Hilal in the 2023-24 King’s Cup, followed by consecutive defeats in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Saudi Super Cup (losing 4-1 to Al Hilal and subsequently losing to Al Ahli on penalties).

The only silverware Ronaldo has captured with Al Nassr is the Arab Club Champions Cup, where he scored a brace to defeat Al Hilal 2-1. However, this tournament is not officially recognized by either the AFC or FIFA, meaning it is classified only as an exhibition trophy.

According to financial magazine Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to earn $230 million with Al Nassr during the 2025–26 season, plus an additional $50 million from endorsements. That brings his total projected income to $280 million, marking the sixth time in the past decade that he tops the list of the world’s highest-paid footballers.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s all-time counterpart, ranks second among soccer’s top earners with an estimated $130 million in total income — about $60 million from his contract with Inter Miami and $70 million through endorsement deals.

Rounding out the top three is Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, who is projected to make around $100 million on the field with Al Ittihad, along with another $4 million from sponsorships, according to Forbes.

Who rounds out the top 10

Forbes reported two new changes in this year’s top 10 compared to last season, with Neymar Jr. and Kevin De Bruyne dropping out after recent team moves. Neymar took a significant pay cut to return to Santos, his boyhood club, while De Bruyne left Manchester City for Napoli, also accepting a lower salary.

The rest of the list includes:

• 4- Kylian Mbappe – $95 million
• 5- Erling Haaland – $80 million
• 6- Vinicius Jr. – $60 million
• 7- Mohamed Salah – $55 million
• 8- Sadio Mane – $54 million
• 9- Jude Bellingham – $44 million
• 10- Lamine Yamal – $43 million

Lamine Yamal’s first time inclusion is historic — as the 18-year-old Barcelona star becomes the youngest player ever to break into Forbes’ top 10 in the list’s 22-year history.

With his three goals against Kairat, Mbappe joined an exclusive group of six players to reach 60 Champions League goals. He needed 89 matches to achieve the mark, surpassing the totals of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Raul Gonzalez.

The Real Madrid legend Raul needed the most matches to reach 60 Champions League goals, achieving it in 115 games. Karim Benzema follows, reaching the milestone in 111 matches, while Cristiano Ronaldo did it in 98 games.

With his latest three goals, Mbappe entered the top three of this exclusive group. Robert Lewandowski ranks second, having needed 85 matches to reach the milestone, while Lionel Messi remains the fastest, achieving 60 Champions League goals in just 80 games.

Mbappe makes Real Madrid history

The hat-trick not only brought Mbappe to 60 goals in the Champions League but also placed him in an elite group alongside Ronaldo Nazario, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to score a Champions League hat-trick away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 2018 World Cup winner also moved into sixth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list with his 60 goals, surpassing Thomas Muller, who had been tied with him at 57.

The race for the all-time Champions League top scorer is still led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 140 goals. However, the Portuguese forward is unlikely to play in another Champions League match, leaving the door open for someone to challenge that record.

Currently, Lewandowski has the best chance to surpass it, sitting third on the list with 105 goals and still active. But with what Mbappe is achieving at such a young age, he has the potential to compete with the Barcelona striker for years to come.

After avoiding injuries in the friendly games, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly fully fit to start against Al Ittihad. Alongside the Portuguese star, Joao Felix could make his official debut, having already played a prominent role in recent friendly games. With this reinforcement in the offense, Cristiano will be looking to break the bad streak of two consecutive games without a win against Karim Benzema‘s team.

Furthermore, head coach Jorge Jesus could also count on the official debut of veteran defender Iñigo Martinez, who has already played his first minutes in the friendly match against Almería. However, his partner in central defense may not be Mohamed Simakan but Abdulelah Al-Amri, as the 25-year-old defender has already recovered but may not start to avoid a relapse of his injury.

Al Nassr predicted lineup against Al Ittihad

Although it is the first official game of the season, Al Nassr could field their best starting eleven to face Al Ittihad, as both teams have a rivalry marked by winning titles as two of the biggest teams in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Arriyadhiah reported that Kingsley Coman could start despite having recently arrived, after convincing Jorge Jesus with his performance in training.

With this in mind, Al Nassr could present the following starting lineup: Bento; Sultan Al Ghanam, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Iñigo Martinez, Nawaf Boushal; Marcelo Brozovic, Abdullah Alkhaibari; Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Is Karim Benzema playing for Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr at 2025 Saudi Super Cup semifinals today?

Unlike Al Nassr, Al Ittihad have approached the 2025-26 season with a rigorous preparation strategy, engaging in five friendly matches. Despite this proactive effort, their performance was lackluster, culminating in just a single victory. The team faced a minor setback with goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic suffering a muscle injury, sidelining him from play. However, Karim Benzema remains fully fit and poised to lead the lineup.

With this in mind, they could field the following lineup: Youssif Al-Shanqiti; Saad Al Mousa, Danilo Pereira, Ahmed Sharahili, Muath Faqeehi; Fabinho, N’Golo Kante; Mousa Diaby, Unai Hernandez, Steven Bergwijn; Karim Benzema.

The world of soccer is not only about goals and trophies—it’s also about eye-popping paychecks. The sport continues to attract lucrative contracts, with some of its biggest stars making millions off the pitch, as well as on it.

From long-time legends to rising stars, the top earners have diversified their incomes, capitalizing on endorsement deals, exclusive sponsorships and global fame. The market for soccer talent has never been more profitable.

As clubs battle for dominance on the field, these athletes are winning big in the financial game. Some numbers might surprise you, as players secure deals that reflect their global influence and immense popularity.

Cristiano Ronaldo – £228 million per year

Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with his total earnings for 2025 estimated at £228 million. His massive salary comes from his contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, which is reported to be worth £175 million annually.

In addition to his soccer earnings, his off-field earnings from endorsements are substantial. His partnerships with global brands like Nike, Clear, and his CR7 brand continue to generate millions every year.

His marketability is unrivaled, and his brand transcends the sport of soccer. His global presence, both on and off the field, makes him a highly sought-after ambassador for brands looking to tap into his massive following.

Lionel Messi – £108 million per year

Lionel Messi‘s move to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami has not affected his financial dominance in soccer. In fact, his earnings have remained sky-high, with a reported £108 million annually. Of this, around £50 million comes from his contract with Inter Miami.

His brand value, however, is not limited to his salary; his lucrative endorsement deals contribute a substantial £58 million. Partnerships with Adidas, Apple, and Budweiser keep him firmly in the top ranks of sports’ highest earners.

Off the field, his ventures into business and partnerships with major tech companies and sports brands elevate his financial portfolio. He remains a globally recognized face in the sporting world, further contributing to his income.

Karim Benzema – £83 million per year

Karim Benzema, fresh off winning the Ballon d’Or, moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, where he now earns a substantial £83 million annually. His £70 million salary from the club makes up the lion’s share of his earnings.

In addition, he enjoys lucrative endorsement deals with global brands like Nike and luxury labels, contributing an extra £13 million to his annual income. His rise to financial success parallels his stellar on-field performance, as he remains one of the most marketable and well-respected figures in the world of soccer.

His move to Saudi Arabia has been a game-changer not only for his career but also for his earning potential. His Ballon d’Or win has enhanced his global profile, ensuring that his brand continues to grow.

Kylian Mbappé – £72 million per year

Kylian Mbappé made headlines in 2025 when he completed his highly anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. The French forward, one of the brightest stars in global soccer, signed a lucrative contract with the Spanish giants that solidified his position among the highest-paid players in the sport.

His yearly earnings are reported at £72 million, a figure that includes his salary, signing bonuses, and global sponsorship deals. His decision to join Real Madrid marks a new chapter in his career, where he looks to continue his rise as one of soccer’s most marketable and successful players.

Erling Haaland – £48 million per year

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian sensation, has quickly become one of the top-paid players in the world. His £48 million annual income is derived from his contract with Manchester City, which provides him with a £35 million salary.

He also benefits from endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Hyperice, adding £13 million to his total earnings. The striker’s meteoric rise to stardom, combined with his incredible goal-scoring ability, has made him one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

His impact on soccer is undeniable, and his financial success reflects his rapidly growing influence. With a long career ahead, the Norwegian forward is poised to continue securing lucrative contracts and endorsement deals that will keep him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Vinícius Júnior – £44 million per year

Vinícius Júnior has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in soccer, and his financial earnings reflect his rising star status. The Brazilian winger, who plays for Real Madrid, has an estimated annual income of £44 million.

Of this, £30 million comes from his contract with the Spanish giants, while his endorsement deals with Adidas and other major brands contribute an additional £14 million. His marketability and on-field success have made him one of the top earners among young soccer players.

His rise in the soccer world has been swift, and his global appeal has made him a sought-after figure for major brands. His combination of talent, charisma, and commercial appeal positions him for continued financial success as his career progresses.

Mohamed Salah – £42 million per year

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star winger, continues to be one of the highest-paid soccer players, with a total annual income of £42 million. His soccer contract contributes £25 million to this sum, while his endorsement deals with global brands such as Adidas, Vodafone, and Pepsi bring in an additional £17 million.

His impact extends far beyond his soccer ability, as his philanthropic work and global recognition make him an attractive figure for top brands looking to capitalize on his influence. His brand is synonymous with success, both on the field and off.

His stellar performances in the Premier League, combined with his significant commercial appeal, ensure that he remains among the sport’s top earners. As he continues to be one of the most marketable athletes in the world, his earnings are expected to remain high for years to come.

Sadio Mané – £42 million per year

Sadio Mané’s move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia has elevated his earnings, making him one of the highest-paid players in 2025. The Senegalese forward earns £35 million from his contract with the club, with an additional £7 million generated from various endorsements.

His commercial appeal remains high, thanks to his status as a global sports icon and his associations with brands like New Balance. His move to the Saudi Pro League has enhanced his earning potential, and his continued success off the field ensures his financial standing remains strong.

Robert Lewandowski – £50 million per year

The Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, continues to shine as one of the highest-paid soccer players in 2025. After leaving Bayern Munich for FC Barcelona in 2022, he has quickly established himself as a top earner in La Liga.

His current contract, which is valued at £50 million annually, includes a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and significant sponsorship deals with brands such as Nike, Huawei and others.

Even as he nears the end of his playing career, his consistency on the pitch and his off-field endeavors help maintain his position as one of the world’s wealthiest soccer stars.

Karim Benzema’s legacy at Real Madrid is defined by perseverance, triumph, and deep respect for the club. Speaking on Los Amigos de Edu, the French striker reflected on his departure. “It was a moment when I had to say I want to stay at the top, top level of Madrid, captain, etc… You don’t know what is going to happen next year,” stated Benzema.

Karim Benzema carefully considered his next move before leaving Real Madrid: “It was always a little bit in my head. The day I win everything with Madrid, I think I’m going to say that’s it and go to another club that can’t play against Madrid again,” he explained. His loyalty to the club’s legacy was clear. He emphasized his decision to avoid clubs like PSG or Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Karim Benzema’s journey in Madrid was not without challenges. He acknowledged the difficult start to his career in Spain. “In Madrid I started a bit difficult. It was very complicated for me, but I never gave up and thanks also to Florentino Perez, who was always on my side,” added Benzema. Over time, he evolved from a promising but inconsistent forward into a club legend. He won every possible title with Real Madrid, cementing his place in history.

Karim Benzema reveals his post-retirement plans after professional soccer

Karim Benzema still has two years remaining on his contract with Al-Ittihad and continues to perform at a high level. He has already scored 16 goals in the Saudi Pro League, making him the tournament’s second-leading scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite his success, Benzema is already thinking about his post-retirement plans. One thing is certain: he has no interest in becoming a coach. “It seems more complicated than playing. You have to talk to 20-25 guys, you have to choose one or the other.”

However, Karim Benzema is certain that he wants to remain involved in soccer after retirement. He has expressed a desire to stay close to Florentino Perez and even maintain ties with Real Madrid. He did not specify whether he envisions a role as a club president, executive or any rol.

“I think everyone can say what they want. If he thinks he’s the best in history, then he is. There are many. For example, for me, (the best soccer player of all time) is the Ronaldo of Brazil, but Cristiano is what he is. I do not like to make comparisons between players. I think each one has his story and he (Cristiano) has his story. He is very good,” stated Karim Benzema on TNT Sports.

Karim Benzema spent many years playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, appearing in 342 games together. Cristiano is also the teammate with whom Benzema combined for the most goals, with 76. Despite their shared history, Karim recently stated that the best player in history is not Cristiano, but the legendary Brazilian Ronaldo Nazario. Another surprise was that Karim Benzema did not choose Lionel Messi as the best player in history.

Although Benzema did not choose Lionel Messi, he has publicly expressed his respect for the Argentine. Even when Messi was being criticized by PSG fans Karim Benzema came to his defense: “He (Messi) is one of the best players in the world. Messi just needs time to adapt at Paris Saint-Germain…Anyway, you can’t criticize a player like this. Anyone who criticizes Messi has no idea about soccer,” stated Benzema on Telefoot.

How Karim Benzema is performing in the Saudi Pro League?

Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema plays for a much more structured team. Al Ittihad’s sporting project focuses on building around a group of talented players rather than a single star.

As a result, Benzema is surrounded by quality teammates like Moussa Diaby, Fabinho, and N’Golo Kante, all of whom have experience in the Premier League. Additionally, he plays alongside other renowned players such as Houssem Aouar and Danilo Pereira.

This team structure has allowed Benzema to excel at Al Ittihad, the current solid leader of the Saudi Pro League. He is tied with Cristiano Ronaldo as the league’s top scorer with 16 goals. Thanks to his team’s strong performances, Benzema is now much closer to winning his first Saudi professional league title ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his age, Karim continues to prove that he remains one of the best players in the league.

Kylian Mbappe found the net for Real Madrid in their 4-0 win over RB Salzburg on Matchdaty 7 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. With his goal, the star joined another French icon, Thierry Henry, in the all-time goalscorer table with 51 units. However, Mbappe still has another countryman ahead of him: Karim Benzema.

Mbappe has scored 10th top goalscorer in the Champions League, including all phases, with 51 goals in 80 games. He tied Henry, who scored 51 goals in 112 games in the competition with Arsenal (35), Monaco (7) and Barcelona (8), as well as Filippo Inzaghi (51).

Benzema, on the other hand, scored 90 goals in 152 matches, and he is the fourth in the all-time goalscorer table of the competition behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 103 goals in 127 matches, and can still add to his tally. Messi (second) and Ronaldo (first) are the other two players with most goals in the competition.

Against Salzburg, Rodrygo scored Madrid’s first two goals in the first half. Just three minutes into the second half, Mbappe found the net after a mistake from the Salsburg’s defense, extending the advantage before Vinicius completed the thrashing with a brace (55’,77’).

This was Mbappe’s third goal in the competition this season, after also scoring against Stuttgart (3-1) in his debut, and in the victory against Atalanta (2-3) as visitors. While the French star has strong stats, he is still far away from Ronaldo and Messi.

How many goals does he need to reach Ronaldo, Messi?

Meanwhile, Ronaldo scored 141 goals with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in 183 games. So, Mbappe still needs 90 goals to reach the Portuguese in the all-time top goalscorer table. On the other hand, Messi is second with 129 goals in 163 matches. Meaning, he needs 78 units to tie the Argentine star.

But first Mbappe will have to surpass other great players such as Raúl González (71), Ruud van Nistelrooy (60), Andriy Shevchenko (59) and Thomas Müller (55 and counting).

The goalscorer table of the 2024/25 Champions League: Who is leading?

With the new format, there have been many tight matches and big wins during the first phase so far. Barcelona’s Lewandowski leads the goalscorer table with nine units, followed by his teammate Raphinha (8). Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Dortmund’s Guirassy shared the third place with seven units.

Benzema’s team entered this match as the league leaders, boasting 33 points from the first 12 rounds, with an impressive record of 11 wins and just one loss. In contrast, Al-Nassr, who have struggled with inconsistent results in recent weeks, sat in fourth place with 25 points. For Al-Nassr, Friday’s fixture was crucial, offering them a prime opportunity to take points directly from their rivals and close the gap at the top.

The match also carried extra intrigue, as it saw two of the league’s biggest stars—Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo—go head-to-head. The two forwards were teammates for nearly a decade at Real Madrid, where they formed an iconic attacking trio alongside Gareth Bale. Now, however, they find themselves on opposing sides in the Saudi Pro League, adding another layer of excitement to this high-stakes encounter.

As expected, both players delivered standout performances, becoming the central figures of the match. Ten minutes into the second half, Benzema opened the scoring for Al Ittihad after a brilliant individual effort from Muhannad Al Shanqeeti. The right-back made a powerful run, covering significant ground with the ball before delivering a perfectly timed, low cross into the box—one that Karim simply had to tap in to give Al Ittihad the lead.

Ronaldo delivers when Al-Nassr needed him most

With Al-Nassr trailing and under pressure following Benzema’s goal, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up at a crucial moment to restore hope for his team. Just two minutes after Al Ittihad’s opener, the Portuguese forward found himself in the right place at the right time. Receiving a precise assist from Angelo inside the box, Ronaldo calmly slotted home the equalizer with a well-placed right-footed shot.

Hard blow for Al-Nassr

As the match neared its conclusion, with the score locked at 1-1 and stoppage time ticking down, Steven Bergwijn delivered a moment of brilliance. The Dutch forward showcased his skill with a sensational individual effort inside the box, weaving past multiple defenders before finishing with a powerful right-footed shot that left Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento with no chance to react.

Bergwijn’s late goal not only secured all three points for Al Ittihad but also extended their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings. With 36 points, they now have a five-point cushion over second-place Al-Hilal, who face Al Raed on Saturday. For Al-Nassr, it was a devastating blow. The defeat means they missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap on the leaders, leaving them 11 points adrift of the top spot.

The YouTube channel UR Cristiano provided the perfect setting for a fun game between Cristiano Ronaldo and his former teammate Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand challenged Ronaldo to choose between different football players, adding an entertaining twist to their interaction.

When it came time to choose between Argentine star and current World Cup champion Angel Di Maria and his contender, CR7 did not hesitate to pick the other player. The player in question is none other than David Beckham, one of the current owners of Inter Miami and the key figure responsible for Lionel Messi‘s signing with the Herons.

In this round of questions, it was one of the fastest answers from the Portuguese striker, perhaps due to the close relationship that Cristiano and Beckham developed during their time together at Manchester United.

The intriguing choice between Benzema and Mbappe

In line with the questions and answers between Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand, it was time to tackle one of the most challenging questions in the entire questionnaire. The question compared French forwards Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.

Toward the end of the questionnaire, Ferdinand put Cristiano Ronaldo on the spot, making him choose between his rival from Al Ittihad and the recent galactic signing of Real Madrid.

When it seemed that the final choice would likely be Karim Benzema, given their years together and the numerous goals they scored for Real Madrid, the Portuguese star ultimately chose one of the forwards of the moment, Kylian Mbappe.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his immediate future

Cristiano Ronaldo is focused on the UEFA Nations League doubleheader representing Portugal. His first match was a 2-1 victory over Croatia, a game highlighted by his historic milestone of reaching 900 career goals.

Not content with that, the Al Nassr forward recently declared his goal of surpassing the 1,000 career goals mark. While challenging given his age, for players of his caliber, virtually nothing is impossible.

After playing the second Nations League match against Scotland, CR7 will return to Saudi Arabia to rejoin his coach at Al Nassr and continue his campaign in the Saudi Pro League, where his team is currently in fifth place.

On the eve of the new Saudi Pro League season, teams continue to strengthen their squads with several transfers still in the works. In this scenario, two of the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad, are taking center stage.

French star striker Karim Benzema has urged management to act swiftly to secure the services of a key player from Cristiano Ronaldo’s team. Al Ittihad aims to challenge for the Saudi Pro League title once again and hopes that this reinforcement will make a significant impact in the transfer market and help them achieve their main goal.

Managed by Frenchman Laurent Blanc, the team is one of the top contenders for the title. However, not content with this, they are actively seeking to further strengthen their squad to stay at the top of the league.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will need to quickly move on from their loss in the final against Al Hilal last weekend, as their new season kicks off this Thursday with a match against Al Raed.

The star targeted by Al Ittihad

Recent reports indicate that, at the express request of forward Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad is set to pursue one of the standout players from Al Nassr, a striking partner of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The player in question is none other than Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward. The Senegalese striker is reportedly open to the move, and everything seems set for him to don the yellow and black jersey starting this upcoming season.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the interest is genuine and that Al Nassr could be set to lose a key player from their squad as the new season begins.

Mane’s stats at Al Nassr

After leaving Bayern Munich, the Senegalese forward joined Al Nassr and had a fantastic footballing season in terms of his statistics.

The forward played a total of 46 matches, scoring 19 goals and providing 8 assists. Undoubtedly, his move to Al Ittihad would be a major boost for the team.