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On Tuesday, Al-Ittihad signed Real Madrid's
second all-time top scorer, with 354 goals in a trophy-laden 14
years, on a three-year mega deal, before confirming he will wear
the number nine shirt at the expense of Hamdallah.
The Moroccan forward was a key part of Al-Ittihad's success last
season. Hamdallah, 32, three years younger than Benzema, scored
21 goals in 26 games and clinched the top scorer award ahead of
Al-Nassr's Anderson Talisca and Al-Hilal's Odion Ighalo.
Hamdallah was particularly clinical in the big games and was one
of the main reasons that Al-Ittihad won the title for the first
time since 2009.
The player was relaxed about the possibility of Benzema's
arrival when asked about it by local media last week.
"We welcome any player who comes and can help the team. He is
welcome, and we do not have a problem," he said.
"We are great players, and we are used to competing inside and
outside the field, and we are available for anything," the
forward added.
Hamdallah has not commented since Benzema's deal was confirmed.
But as long as Benzema is fit, it is expected Hamdallah will not
be the main forward, and it will be difficult to change his
position, given his lack of speed and similarity in play to the
French striker.
Hamdallah will therefore have to accept a less important role,
or search for another club, as Vincent Abu Bakr, Al-Nassr's
former striker, did last January when his club signed Cristiano
Ronaldo, Real Madrid's all-time top scorer and Benzema's former
colleague.
(Reporting by Osama Khairy; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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