After winning four Spanish La Liga titles, five Champions League crowns and five Club World Cups in 14 trophy-laden years with Real Madrid, French superstar Karim Benzema finally moved on to pastures new. 

Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad announced on late Tuesday that they have completed the signing of the 35-year-old Ballon d'Or winner, who scored 354 goals for Madrid, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo. According to multiple media outlets, the three-year deal is estimated to be worth over 100 million euros ($106.89 million). 

"Benzema's arrival is the most important transfer in the club's history to date," read a statement from Al Ittihad, who have just been crowned Saudi Pro League champions for the 2022-23 season. 

"It also marks another huge step in the Saudi Pro League's journey to become one of football's leading destinations for the world's very best after its biggest season to date."

"I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe," Benzema added. 

"It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project. Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend which shows Saudi Arabia is starting to further progress its level. I am here to win, like I did in Europe." 

Ronaldo, who was teammates with Benzema at Madrid between 2009 and 2018, joined another Saudi powerhouse Al Nassr at the start of the year. The Portuguese talisman's rival Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia. 

On speculation of more big names joining him in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo said last week, "They are all welcome because, if that happens, the league will improve... It currently has wonderful foreign and Arab players. Age is not important. 

"I want to continue here. I will continue here, and I think if they keep doing it the way they want to do it, in the next few years the Saudi league can be among the top five in the world."

While Messi's preferred move would be a return to Barcelona this summer, senior officials from Al Hilal still traveled to France to meet the Argentine World Cup winner's father and agent, Jorge Messi to discuss a deal after Messi played his last game for PSG over the weekend. 

Argentinian and Spanish newspaper revealed that Al Hilal have even increased their initial mouth-watering offer of 500 million euros per season with the aiming of completing Messi's signing as soon as possible. 

To further complicate matters, American franchise Inter Miami also joined the battle to sign Messi after making a formal offer which will pay him 50 million euros per season for four years.  

Though the salary provided by Miami is not as lucrative as what Al Hilal can offer, the U.S. possesses a social environment, educational system, and business opportunities that are unparalleled by Saudi Arabia. 

In the meantime, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez told a press briefing earlier that he still hope Messi would return.

"For me, there's no doubt that if Messi comes back, he will help us on a football level," said Xavi, who guided Barca to their first La Liga title in four years this season. 

"I let the president [Joan Laporta] know this. I have no doubts, no doubt at all that he will help because he is still a decisive footballer, because he still has hunger, because he's a winner, because he's a leader and because, also, he's a different, different player. 

"What would Messi bring? He'd bring talent. Final pass, set pieces, goals … in the final third, he's a player on a different level. As such, and because of the way I want to play, the way the staff wants to play too. 

"For me there's no doubt that he would help us a lot, but it all depends on him. In the end, the one who calls the shots at this time is Leo. There's no doubt."