Karim Benzema said he wants to win more trophies with his new club, Al Hilal. The French striker said Al Hilal are the Real Madrid of Asia after he joined the club on Monday.

Benzema recently turned down a contract extension to remain at Al Ittihad beyond June. According to ESPN, Benzema felt disrespected with the offer he received from Al Ittihad.

Speaking for the first time since his move, the former Madrid captain and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner told the club’s website: “It’s good. I’m happy to be here. After my first training with the team, with the coach, I’m so happy and glad to be a part of this team.

“It’s a good team, with a good history. They have won a lot of trophies.

“It’s similar, like Real Madrid in Asia. Everything is good, the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, they have a good mentality.

“I liked this team from before. I used to play against them with Madrid and it was not an easy game. It was a good game so I have good memories. Today I’m happy because I’m a player of Al Hilal.”

Benzema played a key role in helping Al Ittihad win the league crown and the King’s Cup last season, and said he is hungry for more trophies with his new club.

“[It’s a] clear message,” he said. “You know my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything on the pitch. I will help this team and, inshallah, win trophies. For me it’s more important to bring trophies. As I said before, we have a good team, good fans and together, inshallah, we will do it.”

The forward has scored eight goals in 14 league games this season.