KARIM BENZEMA HITS BACK AT CRITICS: I CAN'T WIN GAMES ALONE

Karim Benzema has endured a disappointing first season with Al Ittihad. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

 Karim Benzema has hit back at critics of his performances since moving to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, saying he needs help and can't win games alone.

The former Ballon d'Or winner became one of several high-profile names to move to Saudi Arabia last summer after ending a trophy-laden 14-year spell with Real Madrid.

However, he has managed just nine goals in 20 league games in his first season in Saudi. Al Ittihad, last season's champions, sit a distant fourth in the standings, 30 points behind leaders Al Hilal.

Asked after Al Ittihad's 0-0 draw with Al Taawoun Friday why fans weren't seeing the same Benzema as at Real Madrid, Benzema told Action with Walid: "Because it's not the same game, it's not the same players.

"I need help on the pitch, I can't win one game alone. I need another player, I need a lot of things. But it's different, it's my first season in Saudi. I hope I finish the season well, I hope I win. That's it."

Benzema, 36, signed a three-year deal with Al Ittihad last summer worth €400 million, ESPN reported.

However, ESPN reported that Benzema explored his options in the January transfer window after an underwhelming first six months in Jeddah.

The former France international knew it was unlikely Al Ittihad would let him leave the club but considered returning to Europe a possibility.

Chelsea and his hometown club Lyon both inquired about his availability, sources told ESPN.

Benzema scored 354 goals for Madrid across 648 matches while earning a record 25 trophies, consisting of four LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues, three Copas del Rey, four Spanish Supercopas, four UEFA Super Cups and five FIFA Club World Cups.

- ESPN

SAUDI SOCCER.CLUB AL HILAL AIMS FOR WORLD RECORD WINS

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 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabian soccer club Al Hilal will target a 28th straight win in competitive games on Tuesday that could set a world record for a top-tier team.

Fueled by Serbia forward Aleksandar Mitrović’s goals during Neymar’s long-term injury, Al Hilal aims for the record in a second-leg game in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals against domestic rival Al Ittihad.

The recognized wins record of 27 was set by The New Saints in the 2016-17 season. The Welsh team took the mark from the great Ajax side inspired by Johan Cruyff in 1971-72.

Al Hilal’s dominating season follows the club spending about 350 million euros ($380 million) on player transfers after being effectively nationalized by the Saudi sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund. It is controlled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The streak includes 16 games in the Saudi league, three in the domestic cup and eight in the Asian Champions League.

“It’s a world record but it’s not a title,” coach Jorge Jesus said. “Titles are the league, the cup and the Asian Champions League.”

The last time the team did not win was on Sept. 21 in a 1-1 draw against league rival Damac. Four weeks later, Neymar suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Brazil.

On Tuesday, the Riyadh club takes a 2-0 lead to Jeddah to face Al Ittihad. The winner advances to the semifinals against Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.