Wafric News – May 11, 2025

French football legend Karim Benzema is reportedly inching closer to a sensational move to Major League Soccer (MLS), a transition that could see him reunite with former rival Lionel Messi in the ever-expanding world of American football.

Sources close to the 37-year-old striker suggest that Benzema, currently plying his trade at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, has begun taking serious steps toward a new challenge in the United States.

After leaving Real Madrid in 2023, the Ballon d’Or winner has continued to show elite-level form in the Saudi Pro League, where he has racked up 34 goals and 17 assists in just 59 appearances for the Jeddah-based side. This season alone, Benzema has delivered 21 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, proving that age has not dimmed his sharpness in front of goal.

But the pull of the MLS—now a magnet for global football icons—may soon prove irresistible.

Benzema's name is forever etched in Real Madrid’s history books. After arriving from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009, he evolved from a quiet talent into one of the club’s most dominant figures, amassing 648 appearances, 354 goals, and 151 assists. His exploits made him the club’s second-highest scorer of all time, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.

Across his 14-year spell in Madrid, the Frenchman lifted an astounding 25 major trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns. His individual brilliance was finally recognized in 2022 when he claimed the Ballon d’Or, crowning a career of consistency, resilience, and world-class finishing.

Initially shadowed by stars like Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain, Benzema eventually became the heart of Real Madrid’s frontline—an evolution that mirrored his maturity both on and off the pitch.

Now, Benzema could be following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, who has brought a wave of global attention to MLS with his move to Inter Miami. The potential arrival of Benzema would mark another milestone in the league’s growing reputation as a destination for not just fading stars, but still-potent talents eager to shape football’s next frontier.

As MLS continues to position itself on the global football map, the addition of Benzema—one of the most clinical strikers of his generation—could dramatically shift the league’s international appeal.

No official announcement has been made, but talks are said to be advancing, with Benzema reportedly keen to explore the next chapter of his storied career in North America.


By WafricNews Desk.