- Karim Benzema news of leaving Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia caused a stir
- Benzema recently had his toughest match in the Saudi league
- He left Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League champions
Karim Benzema news of leaving Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia caused a stir but the French striker seems to be doubling down on his earlier statement.
Benzema recently had his toughest match in the Saudi league after playing against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. The match ended in a 5-2 defeat and this put him on the edge of leaving the Al Ittihad which he joined in late 2023.
He left Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League champions in a new challenge to his football career but seems to be thinking twice about it now.
Karim Benzema News
In the recent Karim Benzema news, the French footballer has displayed noticeable frustration. Following a 2-5 loss to Al Nassr, he faced a barrage of criticism, prompting the Frenchman to delete his Instagram account.
This was an expression of frustration which went on to a point where football pundits said that he was on the verge of leaving the Saudi club.
In addition to deleting his Instagram account, the French star exhibited further signs of discontent. Following the game against Al Nassr, Benzema notably skipped training sessions.
Karim Benzema. Photo/Sports Illustrated
The underlying concern was his dissatisfaction with the squad’s quality. Reports indicate that Benzema issued a warning to the club, stating, “Either bolster the team with new players, or I will not return.”
According to recent sources, the celebrity changed his mind a few days after giving the senior management a kind of ultimatum.
Initially uncertain, Benzema’s future at the club will, however, remain intact, according to Jose Felix Diaz.
“Benzema is staying with Al Ittihad, and sources close to the player confirm that the team will change many players,” Diaz said.
Why Is Karim Benzema Frustrated at Al Ittihad?
The recent defeat by Al Nassr put Benzema on the firing line and he received wide criticism more than any other player.
Other goal-scorers such as Abderrazak Hamdallah and Igor Coronado have not faced the same level of criticism despite being part of the same team.
Despite the addition of high-profile players like Fabinho, Jota, and N’Golo Kante, the Frenchman seems to be the fans’ punching bag. This is despite the fact that they are yet to significantly impact the club and haven’t been criticized.
He has delivered commendable individual performances, contributing with 12 goals and 5 assists this season alone. But, the once reigning winners of the Saudi Pro League are now sitting at position 7 on the points table.
How Much Did Al Ittihad Offer to Sign Karim Benzema?
Benzema penned a three-year deal with Al Ittihad Jeddah, reportedly worth a staggering $110 million (€100 million) per year.
The 35-year-old reigning Ballon d’Or winner ditched Bernabéu for the sands of Saudi Arabia in furthering his football career. He won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid and enjoyed a prolific 14-year victory spell at the club.
Al Ittihad’s offer was so lucrative for him that it makes him one of the top five highest paid footballers ahead of Kylian Mbappe and the like.
Karim Benzema cut inside to the edge of the box before firing a sensational strike that flew past the goalkeeper. Photo/ msc football.
At 35, it was highly unlikely that any other club in different football leagues across the world would give him the same offer as Al Ittihad.
While he enjoyed immense success at Real Madrid, winning five Champions League titles and numerous other trophies, the need for a new challenge was ungovernable.
Besides, the Saudi Pro League despite its limitations, is a rapidly growing league with more money than any other league in the world.
Also, he receives less media attention unlike in Real Madrid due to Saudi’s conservative nature. Benzema always longed for this privacy but it was elusive.
However, his football prowess puts him on a delicate path with fans who see him as the club’s savior.
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