In a recent statement to the newspaper “Al-Riyadiya”, Fabinho, the Brazilian midfielder for Al-Ittihad, has addressed the comments made by his former teammate, Karim Benzema. The French star, who made a high-profile move to rivals Al-Hilal on the final day of the recent winter transfer window, had publicly questioned why his former colleagues at Al-Ittihad did not bid him farewell upon his departure.
Benzema’s transfer after two and a half years with Al-Ittihad has been a dominant topic in Saudi football. His debut for Al-Hilal was nothing short of spectacular, as he netted a hat-trick in the Roshn Saudi League. However, his post-match remarks shifted focus, expressing apparent dissatisfaction with the lack of a send-off from his former club, especially in contrast to the farewell given to N’Golo Kanté, who transferred to Turkish side Fenerbahçe around the same time.
Fabinho’s Clarification on the Farewell
Providing context to the situation, Fabinho explained the differing circumstances. “Regarding Kanté, after his transfer was confirmed, he wanted to come and say goodbye to us,” the Brazilian stated. He continued, clarifying the point of contention, “Unfortunately, we did not get the opportunity to see Benzema after he signed with Al-Hilal.”
Despite the controversy, Fabinho was effusive in his praise for the French forward, with whom he shared a dressing room for two years. “Benzema is an extremely distinguished player,” Fabinho remarked. “I lived with him from the first day, and I shared the locker room with him for two years. Karim is a fantastic player, and I can only wish him all the best.”
These comments from the Al-Ittihad star followed his team’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Qatari side Al-Gharafa on Tuesday in the penultimate round of the AFC Champions League Elite stage group phase. When asked to compare this performance to a recent 2-0 loss to Al-Nassr, Fabinho offered a tactical analysis.
“In both matches, we played well. The goals [conceded] were similar, but there are some differences,” he observed. “Against Al-Nassr, we missed certain elements, but versus Al-Gharafa, we created numerous chances. There were open spaces, which is why we scored goals, and we are happy with the win.”
Looking ahead, Fabinho outlined his ambitions for the season, emphasizing both style and self-reliance in continental competition. “My goal this season is for us to play the most attractive, beautiful football possible and to strive for victory in every match we play,” he said. “There is a tournament where we do not depend on any other party—the AFC Champions League Elite—as we rely solely on ourselves.”