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JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Karim Benzema has become the latest soccer star to move to Saudi Arabia after signing with the national champion Al-Ittihad. Benzema left Real Madrid after 14 years and 648 games. He is set to play against his former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi league. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January. Benzema bid farewell to the Madrid fans after scoring in his final game on Sunday. Al-Ittihad has no other global stars of Benzema's caliber but won the Saudi title by overhauling Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for its first championship since 2009.
