Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad’s top scorer, watched from the stands at King Abdullah Stadium as his team won the Saudi Arabia League after defeating bottom club Al Raed 3-1.

Despite being sidelined with an injury, the French forward celebrated his first title since leaving Real Madrid, indirectly leading a strong squad coached by his compatriot Laurent Blanc. 

With this victory, Al-Ittihad is nine points ahead of last season’s champion Al Hilal and regains the crown they last won in 2023.

This tenth league title makes the Jeddah club the second most successful in Saudi league history, behind Al Hilal with 19 championships. Al-Ittihad now surpasses Al Nassr, which has nine titles. 

In the decisive match, Al-Ittihad had to come from behind after Oumar Gonzalez of Al Raed scored early in the 9th minute.

Steven Bergwijn equalized in the 21st, and Danilo Pereira put Al-Ittihad ahead in the 40th minute. In the second half, Abdulrahman Al Obood sealed the win in the 47th, securing both the victory and the league title. 

Benzema, despite not playing, remains Al-Ittihad’s offensive leader and is second in the league’s top scorers, just two goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr, who has 23.

The figures of Saudi Arabia

His influence on and off the field has been key to keeping the team cohesive, guiding high-level players such as Fabinho, Ngolo Kanté, Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar, Predrag Rajkovic, Steven Bergwijn, and Unai Hernández. 

Under Laurent Blanc, Al-Ittihad has shown remarkable dominance in the competition, consolidating a squad considered among the most competitive in Asia. The team balances individual talent and collective play, combining international experience with young prospects to ensure their return to the top of Saudi football is sustainable. 

The tenth league title marks a new chapter in the club’s history and reinforces its regional position, while Benzema remains a standout figure in Saudi football despite missing key matches.