When Karim Benzema will face Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season

  • Karim Benzema joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer
  • Al Ittihad and Al Nassr were SPL's top two last season
  • Schedulers set up potential title decider on final day
The two Real Madrid icons will face off in Saudi Arabia next season
The two Real Madrid icons will face off in Saudi Arabia next season / Anadolu Agency/GettyImages
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Will Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo be the two biggest stars in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) by the time the 2023/24 season kicks off?

For now, the two contemporary Real Madrid icons are the faces of the emerging frontier, but Saudi interest in Kylian Mbappe could alter that dynamic.

Nevertheless, the two superstars will represent the SPL's top two sides next season and their duels sit among the most eagerly anticipated in the division. Benzema's Al Ittihad are vying to retain the title, while Ronaldo's Al Nassr are going in search of their first crown since 2019.

The clashes could be decisive in the title race, and here's when they'll meet next season.


When will Karim Benzema face Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season?

Matchday

Date

Fixture

Stadium

17

14/12/2023 / 16/12/2023

Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr

King Abdullah Sport City

34

27/05/2024

Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad

Al Awal Park

The Saudis have set the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion to the 2023/24 campaign with last season's top two battling it out on the final day.

Benzema's Al Ittihad will host the first meeting with Al Nassr on either 14 or 16 December 2023 before Ronaldo's men take on last season's champions at Al Awal Park on Matchday 34, the final game of the sesaon, on 27 May 2024.

While many expect these two sides to be competing for next season's Saudi Pro League title, Al Hilal are also poised to make a run for the crown and they could spoil the potential final day drama should they enjoy a stellar season.


Karim Benzema vs Cristiano Ronaldo head-to-head record

Date

Competition

Result

20/02/2008

Champions League

Lyon 1-1 Man Utd

04/03/2008

Champions League

Man Utd 1-0 Lyon

11/10/2014

International friendly

France 2-1 Portugal

04/09/2015

International friendly

Portugal 0-1 France

23/06/2021

Euro 2020

Portugal 2-2 France

With the two greats spending the vast majority of their club careers at Real Madrid, they haven't faced off too many times. Benzema's removal from the French national team for a period means he's only lined up against Ronaldo's Portugal three times in his international career.

Nevertheless, Benzema first clashed with his future longtime teammate in the 2007/08 Champions League round of 16 as Lyon took on Man Utd. The Frenchman scored the opener in the first leg before Carlos Tevez equalised late on, then Ronaldo bagged the decisive goal in the return leg at Old Trafford just before half-time.

The pair next clashed six years later while representing their respective nations in a friendly in the wake of the 2014 World Cup. The French were victorious with Benzema opening the scoring after three minutes. Neither were on the scoresheet as France claimed victory in a 2015 friendly before the spoils were shared in their most recent meeting at Euro 2020.

Ronaldo scored two penalties either side of a Benzema brace, one of which came from the spot, in a 2-2 draw.


Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr recent results

Date

Result

Goalscorers

10/01/2020

Al Nassr 1-1 Al Ittihad

Petros; Romarinho

04/09/2020

Al Ittihad 1-1 Al Nassr

Wilfried Bony; Abderrazak Hamdallah

24/01/2021

Al Ittihad 1-1 Al Nassr

Romarinho; Khalid Al Ghannam

30/05/2021

Al Nassr 1-2 Al Ittihad

Abderrazak Hamdallah; Romarinho, Ahmed Hegazy

18/09/2021

Al Nassr 1-3 Al Ittihad

Sultan Al Ghanam; Abdulrahman Alobud, Igor Coronado, Bruno Henrique

11/02/2022

Al Ittihad 3-0 Al Nassr

Romarinho, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Abdulaziz Al Bishi

02/10/2022

Al Nassr 0-0 Al Ittihad

N/A

Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr head-to-head record

Meetings

Al Ittihad wins

Al Nassr wins

Draws

54

23

15

16