Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has just only made a revelation showing just how desperate Sir Alex Ferguson was to sign Karim Benzema in the earlier days.
After a span of 14 stellar years at Real Madrid, Benzema has finally seen it expedient to embark on a new football journey in Saudi Arabia with champions Al Ittihad. The former Los Blancos striker leaves the Santiago Bernabeu with 354 goals to his name in 648 competitive appearances across all competitions, second only to his former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s history.
Such a feat easily cements the Frenchman’s status as a legend. He easily caught the eye of the European giants during his earlier days at Lyon before he sealed his switch to the Spanish capital city club in 2009.
It was during his penultimate season at the club that the Los Madridistas came up against Manchester United in the Champions League last-16 and the striker scored in the first leg at the Stade de Gerland, leaving such an impression on the then United boss Ferguson who left no stone unturned in his desire to bring the young striker to Old Trafford.
Former defender Ferdinand, who had featured in the match, told BT Sport: “The first time I played against him, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him.
“He was speaking to him in the tunnel after the game and Lyon officials had to pull him away. His movement that day was brilliant.”
Unfortunately for United and Ferguson, these advances amounted to nothing as Benzema finally opted to join the LaLiga giants in the summer of 2009. A move that would doubtless would prove to be hugely beneficial decision in his career as he won five Champions League and four La Liga titles.
He was also the recipient of the 2022 Ballon d’Or award that firmly established him as one of the true greats in world football.
Benzema now follows in the wake of former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia to eke out a new future in the sands of time.